Defra, UK - Farming - Crops

Farming

Plant health

There are many plant pests and diseases which, if they were to become established in Great Britain, could cause serious damage to our crops and plants. To avoid this, official controls and restrictions are placed on the import, movement and keeping of plants, plant pests and other material e.g. soil.

These measures include plant health legislation, which covers, amongst other issues:

a plant passport system
a list of notifiable and quarantine organisms subject to statutory control

A summary of these is provided below with further details available from the Plant Health Division.

For information on specific diseases, including information sheets and identification guides, see the pests and diseases pages of the Plant Health Division section.

Plant health legislation

Plant health legislation covers plants, fruit, seed, potatoes, cut flowers, foliage, vegetables, grain, soil and growing medium.

Defra’s Plant Health Division (PHD) is responsible for implementing the Plant Health Order in England and equivalent legislation in Wales (on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales), while SEERAD is responsible in Scotland.

The measures in these Orders derive from the EC Plant Health Directive.

Forestry plant health is the responsibility of the Forestry Commission.

Some plants and plant produce are prohibited from entering this country. Others are restricted and must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary ("plant health") Certificate, which is issued by the Plant Health Authority in the exporting country. This certificate is essentially a statement that the plants, or plant produce:

have been officially inspected in the country of origin or despatch
comply with statutory requirements for entry into the EC
are free from quarantine pests and diseases

Imported plant material is subject to inspections by the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate which are subject to fees, as outlined in The Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (England) Regulations 2005.

It is also worth noting that exports to non EC countries of plants, plant products, seeds, soil or agricultural machinery must satisfy the plant health requirements of the importing country.

Plant passports

Within the Single Market, plant health checks are focused on the place of production. There are no border checks for plants and plant products traveling between EC countries, although spot checks may take place anywhere in the trade chain.

A limited range of material which can host the most serious (‘quarantine’) pests and diseases requires a plant passport with its movement.

Some plants which host certain pests and diseases also require a supplier document - usually the same document as the plant passport.

Where required, a passport is needed both for movements within and between member states, and additional requirements apply for movements into and within EC Protected Zones. These are listed in the Guide to Plant Passporting and Marketing Requirements (PDF document, 1640 KB)

Plant passports may only be issued by growers who are registered and authorised to do so. Registration is free and there are no time limits.

Authorisation will be granted annually on the basis of an official inspection of the plants during the growing season and a check on record keeping - although it will be withdrawn if incorrectly issued. These official inspections are chargeable at the standard PHSI rate of £81 per hour on site.

Quarantine organisms

EC quarantine pests and diseases are listed on the disease checklist pages of the Defra website. Some pests and diseases of current interest are:

Identification posters, information sheets, booklets and Quarantine Information Cards are available on a number of these pests and diseases. Please see our Publications page for availability, to view/print, and ordering details.

Anyone finding or suspecting the presence of a quarantine organism must contact their local Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI) immediately.