Movements of Used Agricultural and Forestry Machinery (UAFM) to Northern Ireland, and via Northern Ireland to the European Union
For Movements to NI
New arrangements impacting the movement of certain used agricultural and forestry machinery vehicles from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI), and from GB via NI to the European Union (EU), came into effect on 1st October 2023.
Traders now have two ways to move these goods from GB to NI, the most appropriate option for a trader is determined by the intended destination of the goods:
1. Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL)
UAFM could be moved under the NIPHL scheme, if it is intended for use or sale to an end user in NI. Full details of the NIPHL scheme can be found by clicking on this link.
2. Phytosanitary Certificate (PC)
For UAFM moving from GB to the Republic of Ireland (ROI), or other EU countries, via a NI port must then the full Official Controls Regulations (OCR) rules apply. The UAFM must be accompanied by a valid PC and CHED-PP pre-notified to DAERA Plant Health.
UAFM that is moved to NI for an onward sale in ROI/other EU member states (or which may be moved into ROI/other EU member state), then similarly as above the full OCR would apply and a PC is required. In these instances, whereby UAFM remains in NI, costs associated with PC could be reimbursed through the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS).
The commodities covered by both mechanisms are those covered by the commodity codes listed in point 1 of Annex XI to Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. These can also be found in the Annex to this guidance.
Exports to the EU
1. General Conditions
1.1 It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that any used machinery complies with the conditions of the importing country. Used machinery that does not comply with the conditions described in this guidance will not be issued a PC.
2. New Machinery of Equipment
2.1 There are no plant health conditions on the importation of new machinery into the ROI/other EU member states.
3. Used Machinery
3.1 To be issued with a PC for export to ROI/other EU member states, all used machinery must be washed and cleaned before shipping to ensure freedom from soil and other debris.
4. Inspection Before Export
4.1 Machinery must be thoroughly washed down on external-facing panels as well as the undercarriage to ensure the machinery is visually free from soil and other debris that may have become lodged in the machinery. Particular attention should be paid to:
- the underside of the cab/ machine
- wheel arches
- hydraulic pipes
- front and rear axles
- drive chain
- Power Take-off (PTO)
- sieves
- straw walkers
- panels and edges that can hold soil or plant debris.
- If the machinery has a cab/compartment this should be carefully vacuum cleaned and swept to remove any soil deposits or debris. Filters should also be checked for contaminants.
4.2 The machinery should be visually free from soil: that is to say there should be no appreciable signs of soil or other debris.
4.3 The inspector will need the exact location of where to perform the inspection in a safe and secure manner, which should be included on the export application. It is the responsibility of the exporter to make sure that the machinery is easily accessible and safe to inspect.
4.4 The machinery must be ready for export at the time of inspection. This means that the machinery must have been cleaned. Should the machinery not meet the pre-export inspection requirements a re-inspection, at a later date and time may occur, but will be subject to additional inspection fees.
4.5 On the PC, the exporter's name and address must be specified. The exporter must be based in the GB. The importer's name and address must also be specified on the PC.
4.6 Multiple pieces of machinery can be inspected at once, even if they are being exported to different locations, but will require their own separate Phytosanitary Certificates if going to multiple consignees.
4.7 The exporter must ensure that the machinery does not become contaminated after the inspection, such as during travel from the inspection area to the loading area.
Annex - list of machinery requiring a Phytosanitary Certificate to enter the EU or Northern Ireland Plant Health Label to enter NI
Machinery and vehicles which have been operated for agricultural or forestry purposes:
|
Description |
Code |
| Ploughs | ex 8432 10 00 |
| Harrows, scarifiers, cultivators, weeders and hoes |
ex 8432 21 00 ex 8432 29 10 ex 8432 29 30 ex 8432 29 50 ex 8432 29 90
|
| Seeders, planters and transplanters |
ex 8432 31 00 ex 8432 39 11 ex 8432 39 19 ex 8432 39 90
|
| Manure spreaders and fertiliser distributors |
ex 8432 41 00 ex 8432 42 00
|
| Other machinery |
ex 8432 80 00
|
| Part |
ex 8432 90 00
|
|
Harvesting or threshing machinery, including straw or fodder balers; grass or hay mowers; machines for cleaning; sorting or grading eggs, fruit or other agricultural produce, other than machinery of heading 8437 - already operated |
| straw or fodder balers, including pick-up balers |
ex 8433 40 00
|
| combine harversters-threshers |
ex 8433 51 00
|
| Root or tuber harvesting machines |
ex 8433 53 10 ex 8433 53 30 ex 8433 53 90
|
|
Other agricultural, horticultural, forestry, poultry-keeping machinery, including germination plant fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment; poultry incubators and brooders -- already operated. |
| Forestry machinery | ex 8436 80 10 |
| Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709) - already operated |
| Road tractors for semi-trailers |
ex 8701 20 90
|
|
Other than single axle tractors, road tractors or track-laying tractors Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors, wheeled |
ex 9701 91 10 ex 8701 92 10 ex 8701 93 10 ex 8701 94 10 ex 8701 95 10
|