Agricultural advancements and regulatory inspections in Spain and Chile

The Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA) has received the first accreditation in Spain from the National Accreditation Entity (ENAC) under the UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard for identifying grapevine varieties and rootstocks through DNA analysis.

Located at the El Encín estate in Alcalá de Henares, the laboratory uses genetic profiles from the El Encín Grapevine Collection and the National Catalogue of Commercial Grapevine Varieties to verify plant material. This service supports nurseries, viticulturists, wineries, and researchers by ensuring the technical validity of genetic identifications.

In Chile, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) conducted an inspection of the Agua Tendida Copihue Nursery in the Tomé commune of the Biobío region. The inspection aimed to verify compliance with current regulations for nurseries producing and commercializing plant material.

Officials confirmed that the nursery, which specializes in the reproduction of the national flower, copihue, meets the necessary sanitary and operational requirements. There are currently 195 registered nurseries in the Biobío region involved in the propagation and development of various plant species.