Prohibited Import of Goji (Lycium barbarum) Plants - Update Technical Note
1. We have received several enquiries in response to a recent BBC Gardeners’ World programme which included an article on imports of prohibited goji berry plants (Lycium barbarum). This note updates the advice we have given previously on this issue.
2. Goji berries are a so-called ‘superfood’, traditionally grown in the Far East, particularly China. Goji berry plants (not the berries themselves, or seeds) are prohibited from being imported to the EU from countries outside the Euro-Mediterranean area (i.e. countries other than Europe, Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia or the area of Turkey east of the Bosphorus Strait known as Anatolia), because they belong to the solanaceous family, which means they are susceptible to certain quarantine pests and diseases which can affect crops such as potato and tomato.
3. In April the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate become aware of a substantial trade in these prohibited plants in the UK. Plants were imported into the EU via the Netherlands, before movement to the UK. In some cases they were being sold directly from nurseries, but mostly by mail order. In response to this development, which was discovered during a routine inspection, all known plants at nurseries and other locations have been placed under statutory notice pending their destruction or re-export.
4. Most of the plants which have already been distributed are likely to have gone to individuals. At this stage, no quarantine organisms have been detected in the limited number of plants which have been analysed by Defra’s Central Science Laboratory, but further testing is still underway. An initial assessment by CSL suggests that the risk to commercial solanaceous crops, such as potato or tomato is relatively low, as there are generally limited connections between amateur and professional production and commercial growers tend to be well aware of potential risks. However, tomato growers in particular and growers of other solanaceous glasshouse crops should consider carefully what other plants are grown on their nursery, and if this includes solanaceous plants appropriate hygiene measures should be implemented. Potato growers (especially seed potato growers) should be aware there is a theoretical risk to potatoes from exposure to other solanaceous material, but this is extremely unlikely under normal (i.e. in the field) growing conditions. An updated technical note is available which provides further information for commercial and amateur growers.
5. Only plants originating from outside the Euro-Mediterranean area are of concern. Please check carefully that your plants were not sourced from outside this area, even if they were bought in the UK or elsewhere in the EU. If you are in any doubt then check with your supplier. Any plants from such sources with suspicious virus symptoms should be notified to your local Plant Health and Seeds Inspector.
6. Even if not showing symptoms, we recommend that you follow the advice on the Defra website about disposing of plants sourced from outside the Euro-Mediterranean area, as a precautionary measure.
For more information contact your local Plant Health and Seeds Inspector.
Page last modified:
12 June 2008
Page published: 29 April 2008