After further scientific review of commodities across all plant and plant product risk categories, there will be changes to the risk categorisation of certain plants and plant products listed in Annex 11 which come into legislation on 30 January 2025. 

7 commodity groups (see full list below) will move from the medium-risk to low-risk category, therefore deregulated, when being imported into GB from the EU and Switzerland.  

Alongside this, two commodities, asparagus and grapes will be moving within the medium-risk category when being imported into GB. Asparagus will be moving from the medium-risk B to medium-risk A category from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein and grapes will be moving from medium-risk A to the medium-risk B category from the EU and Switzerland. 

What does this mean for your business? 

These commodities are currently exempt from plant health controls due to the current easement put on fruit and vegetables imported into GB from the EU. Therefore, you will not need to action the below until 1 July 2025 when the easement ends: 

• If you import asparagus into GB from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein you will need to pre-notify your products on IPAFF and your goods may be subject to checks at the border. This is alongside the current requirement of obtaining a PC.  

• If you import grapes into GB from the EU and Switzerland, you no longer need to pre-notify this, but you will still need to obtain a PC before the goods enter GB. You will also be subject to a lower frequency of import checks.  

• If you import one of the 7 commodity groups moving from the medium-risk to low-risk category into GB from the EU and Switzerland, you will continue to not need to pre-notify, obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) or be subject to checks or associated fees.  

More information can be found here: Import Requirements - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk) 

List of commodities