GB Special import requirements

Updated: 13 October 2021

The UK NPPO is currently reviewing the import requirements for a small number of plants and plant products in respect of some specific pests and diseases. In the meantime, please note the following clarifications and flexibilities which apply with immediate effect:

Plants for planting, other than seeds, of Euphorbia pulcherrima Klotzsch and unrooted cuttings for planting of Euphorbia pulcherrima Klotzsch.

In respect to Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), as listed under item 11, Annex 7, Part A of The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, there is an erroneous ‘and’ included after option (a)(i). It is only required that one option is fulfilled from those set out at below (a)(i) – area freedom; (a)(ii) – official inspections and (a)(iii)– treatment and inspections. Additionally, there is the requirement to fulfil one of the options under (b). For those plants which are intended for retail sale, there is a general exemption which means only the requirements set out in (c) need to be fulfilled.

Imports of oak casks from the USA and Canada

Officials in Defra and Forestry Commission have urgently reviewed this matter and have agreed that oak casks imported from the USA and Canada can continue to be exempt from Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) requirements when heat treated as detailed in Schedule 10, new Annex 11, Part A, point 41 in SI 2020/1527 (the Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020).

Specifically, oak casks (as well as barrels, vats, tubs and other coopers’ products and parts thereof, including staves) which would need to meet the requirements set out in points 122 (Phytophthora ramorum), 128A (Agrilus bilineatus) and 130 (Bretziella fagacearum – oak wilt) of Annex 7, Part A of The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020) are exempt from the PC requirements from the USA where there is documented evidence that the wood has been produced or manufactured using heat treatment to achieve a minimum temperature of 176 °C for 20 minutes.

This will be clarified in the legislation at the next available opportunity. 

Plants of herbaceous species for planting, other than bulbs, corms, plants of the family Gramineae, rhizomes, seeds, tubers – Liriomyza spp

In respect of Liriomyza spp. (specifically, item 40, Annex 7, Part A of The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020):

• in the case of plants for which there is evidence from their packaging or their flower development or from other means that they are intended for direct sale to final consumers not involved in professional plant production, an official statement that they have been officially inspected and found free from Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) and Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) immediately prior to their movement will be accepted.

• in the case of plants where there is less than 3 months between emergence of any vegetation and export, we will accept an official statement that no signs of Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) or Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) have been observed at the place of production, on official inspections carried out at least monthly between emergence of any vegetation and export, during this period there must have been at least two official inspections including one immediately prior to export.
  

Plants of Castanea and Quercus - Cronartium spp.

In respect of Cronartium spp. (item 45, Annex 7, Part A of The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020), the requirement need only apply to third countries where Cronartium spp., other than Cronartium gentianeum Thümen, Cronartium pini (Willdenow) Jørstad and Cronartium ribicola Fischer are known to occur.

Plants for planting, other than dormant plants, plants in tissue culture, seeds, bulbs, tubers, corms and rhizomes

In respect to the quarantine pests listed in item 8, Annex 7, Part A of The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, where the last complete cycle of vegetation started prior to 1 Jan 2021, GB will accept plants where the exporting country is in the process of implementing option (a) and where no symptoms have been observed on the premises concerned and where at least one satisfactory official inspection has been carried out prior to export. 

Plants for planting, other than seeds, of Fragaria L., Lavandula L., Solanaceae, Vitis L. and Vaccinium L.

In respect to Candidiatus Phytoplasma ‘solani’, as listed under item 28, Annex 7, Part A of The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, where the last complete cycle of vegetation started prior to 1 Jan 2021, GB will accept plants where the exporting country is in the process of implementing option (b) and where no symptoms have been observed on the premises concerned and where at least one satisfactory official inspection has been carried out prior to export.

Fruits of Capsicum L., Momordica L., Solanum aethiopicum L., Solanum macrocarpon L. and Solanum melongena L., and plants, other than live pollen, plant tissue cultures, seeds and grains, of Zea mays L.

There is an omission in the legislation in respect to Spodoptera frugiperda, and the special requirements for item 95, Annex 7, Part A of The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 should read as follows:

* The name of the area(s) must be included in the phytosanitary certificate under the heading “Additional declaration”