Market access applications for imports of high-risk commodities into the UK
Prohibitions on imports
For many commodities GB phytosanitary import requirements have been set at global/regional level and countries can export if the relevant requirements can be met. However, there are some high-risk commodities for which import prohibitions are in place, and for which a UK market access application is required.
Prohibited plant products can be found in annex 6 of the Plant Health and Phytosanitary Conditions legislation and a summary can be found here.
The UK uses the following 5 categories of regulation:
|
1 |
Unregulated |
No plant health controls. |
No requirement to apply for market access. No phytosanitary certificate required. |
|
2 |
Regulated no special requirements |
Market generally open to most countries. |
No requirement to apply for market access. A phytosanitary certificate is required. |
|
3 |
Regulated with special requirements(Additional Declarations) |
Market generally open to most countries provided they can meet the specific requirements. |
No requirement to apply for market access but advance declaration may be required [1]. A phytosanitary certificate is required.
|
|
4 |
Prohibited pending risk assessment |
Prohibition may apply to all or only some countries. |
A market access application is required. |
|
5 |
Prohibited |
Prohibition may apply to all or only some countries. |
Please contact UK NPPO (uknppo@defra.gov.uk) for further information |
UK Government has published the Import requirements for plants, plant produce and products - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) guide for importers, which can be used to check if a plant or plant product requires phytosanitary certification to be imported from a third country into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
For imports from the EU, read the guide on how to Import plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Market access requests
A market access request is a request from the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of a country wishing to gain market access for a prohibited commodity to the UK NPPO. .
The process for applying for market access
- Check to see what the regulatory status of the commodity to be exported is (please see Import requirements for plants, plant produce and products - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk))
- If a market access application is necessary, an application should be sent to uknppo@defra.gov.uk. Applications will only be considered if they are submitted by the National Plant Protection Organisation of the country of export and are completed in English.
- An application must be accompanied a technical dossier of information. Please contact uknppo@defra.gov.uk for details of the information that is required to be included in a technical dossier.
- An audit may need to be conducted.
- A decision will be made. If the application is rejected an explanation of the reasons why will be provided.
Useful links
Legislation:
Guidance documents:
- Plant health controls
- Import requirements for plants, plant produce and products
- Import plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Guidance on Great Britain (GB) Requirements for Additional Declarations (ADs) on Phytosanitary Certificates (PCs)
- The UK country profile page on the IPPC International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP)
[1] https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/imports/third-country-declarations