The new rules aim to modernise the plant health regime, enhancing more effective measures for the protection of the Union's territory and its plants. They also aim to ensure safe trade, as well as to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the health of our crops and forests. Different stakeholders will benefit from this new approach:
- Citizens: better protection of landscapes and forests, public and private green spaces, reduced need for pesticide use;
- Growers and farmers: simpler and more transparent documentation (plant passport), better protection of their production, more financial support for fighting pests;
- Other business operators: common operators' register, harmonised traceability;
- Public authorities: EU financial support for the implementation of surveillance and eradication/containment measures.
Download the NFU guide to Importing and Exporting Plants and Plant Products Materials Post-Brexit.
For more information from the European Commission click here and for more information from Defra on plant health controls click here.
The Defra No Deal Technical Notice on Importing and exporting plants and plant products if there’s a no deal Brexit can be found here.