Guidance

Plant Health News Issue 44 - September 2021

Updated 23 April 2024

1. Government sets out a pragmatic new timetable for introducing Border Controls

Earlier this week the Government set out a pragmatic new timetable for introducing full import controls for goods being imported from the EU to the UK. Please see GOV.UK for further details.

We therefore announced a revised timetable for the introduction of plant health controls, as follows:

• since 1 January 2021, phytosanitary certificates and pre-notification have been required to accompany EU imports of high-priority plants and plant products. Documentary, identity, and physical checks of these goods have been carried out at Places of Destination
• from 1 January 2022, the requirement for pre-notification will be extended to all regulated plants and plant products (i.e., not just those which are ‘high-priority’). This is not a change on the previous timetable
• from 1 July 2022, physical and identity checks of high-priority plants and plant products will move from Places of Destination to Border Control Posts (BCPs)
• from 1 July 2022, the requirement for phytosanitary certificates will be extended to all regulated plants and plant products (i.e., not just those which are ‘high-priority’), and they will be subject to physical and ID checks at BCPs

For further information please see the Q&A on the Plant Health Portal.

2. Import and Export of Barrels and Casks made from oak wood originating in the USA

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.

This information is also available on the Plant Health Portal.

3. Open consultation: plant biosecurity strategy for Great Britain

A consultation on the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for GB has been launched by the governments of England, Scotland and Wales to inform Great Britain’s (GB) approach to plant biosecurity over the next five years. Your response will help inform the new GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy that will be published in 2022.

The new strategy will align with forthcoming GB Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy, ensuring a joined-up approach to the restoration and improvement of the environment as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan where we have committed to improving biosecurity.

Take part in the consultation by 30 November 2021.

Please address any queries relating to the above information to:

Forestry Commission Plant Health Service Silvan House 231 Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 7AT

Telephone: 0300 067 5155

Email: plant.health@forestrycommission.gov.uk