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Update on EU low-risk fruit and vegetables pre-notification requirements

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  2. Update on EU low-risk fruit and vegetables pre-notification requirements

From the 17 November 2023, you will no longer be required to make pre-notifications on IPAFFS or PEACH for low-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU. If your goods are of EU origin or are of non-EU origin but have entered free circulation in the EU, then you will no longer be required to pre-notify. A list of goods impacted by this can be found on the Plant Health Portal.  

Risk assessments are a dynamic process, so all commodities remain under continuous review.  Fruit and vegetables, including those from the EU, are being prioritised to address uncertainties to make sure they are in the most appropriate category. Trade will be given sufficient advance notification of any changes. Further information on risk categories for EU goods and non-EU goods can be found on the Plant Health Portal. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Will EU low-risk fruit and vegetables require pre-notification? 

From the 17th of November 2023 EU low-risk fruit and vegetables will no longer require pre-notification to be made on either PEACH or IPAFFS. 

How does the 17 November impact the phasing dates mentioned in the Border Target Operating Model for plants and plant products? 

For EU low-risk fruit and vegetables this means that you will no longer need to provide pre-notification from 17th of November 2023 or a phytosanitary certificate from 31 January 2024, only high and medium risk EU goods will require a phytosanitary certificate to accompany the consignment, and be pre-notified in line with existing arrangements.  

High risk goods are already subject to pre-notification, require a phytosanitary certificate and are subject to documentary, identity and physical checks (the latter currently conducted at place of destination but this will change to a BCP or CP from 30 April 2024). 

What goods are included in low-risk fruit and vegetables? 

Low-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU are all those not listed in either the high or medium risk  categories and includes all EU fruit and vegetables marketed with parts of stems or part of plants attached such as tomatoes on the vine, sweet corn in husk Risk categories for the EU can be found on the Plant Health Portal. 

Is the low-risk category currently assigned to EU fruit and vegetables likely to change? 

Risk categorisation is dynamic and subject to change on the basis of ongoing analysis of risk. Commodities could be moved to another category quickly if the risk dictates, or over a longer timeframe. Overall, the risk categorisation is intended to be stable and provide consistency. However, the ability to apply emergency control measures on any commodities which pose an imminent risk to plant health will be retained. Low-risk fruit and vegetables from the EU is currently being risk assessed and may be subject to change. Trade will be given sufficient advance notification of any changes. 

Does non-EU fruit and vegetables require a phytosanitary certificate and pre-notification? 

Risk categories for non-EU fruit and vegetable can be found on the Plant Health Portal and are subject to import controls today. Any goods that are high or medium risk will require a pre-notification and phytosanitary certificate.