Plant passports and cross border import/export
Post Brexit arrangements
DEFRA are providing updates regarding Brexitand its effects on plant movement between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the EU. From January 1st 2021 there are new requirements for importing and exporting plants. There are different rules for Northern Ireland.
Importing plants and plant material.
Any plants, seeds or bulbs intended for planting, brought in to the UK will require a customs check. They will need a phytosanitary certificate, issued by the origin country –full guidance available here. Also some high risk genera are prohibited or require a prior risk assessment and pre-notification to the relevant authority, whether being imported from the EU or from the rest of the world - see the list of genera here.
If you are buying plants online from overseas, the seller needs to comply with the rules above. Plants and plant products (other than plants for planting) up to 2 kg in weight will be allowed in passenger luggage but this will also require a phytosanitary certificate from the origin country. Failure to declare will result in the goods being confiscated.
Guidance for the amateur can be hard to find, though the best explanation seen so far is on the RHS website.However, it is an ever changing situation at the moment, so for up to date advice, please contact APHA.
Plant Passports for movement within the UK
As of January 1st 2021, the UK plant passport has replaced the EU plant passport.
Any professional operator moving or selling plants, cuttings, bulbs and some seeds (list below) and plant products to another professional operatorwill requireauthorisation to issue plant passports from APHA. A list of the plants, seeds and plant products covered by the legislation is here. The plant passport will have to be applied to each of the lowest trade units such as an individual plant in a pot, or tray of plugs.
If you sell a plant retail (face to face sales) to the end user, you do not need to provide that end user with a plant passport. If you only sell retail, you do not need to register to issue plant passports but you do need to register to become a plant health professional operator (free of charge).
If you sell plants over the internet/mail order, or sell to another retailer, you need to issue plant passports with the lowest trade unit.
