Defra

A number of amendments, arising from technical changes in the assessment of the risks presented by particular pests and diseases, have been introduced to the Plant Health Directive (Council Directive 2000/29/EC) recently . These changes are to be implemented in England through an amendment to the Plant Health (England) Order 2005 - the Plant Health (England) (Amendment)(No.2) Order 2007, which comes into force on 1 November.

The amendments to the Plant Health Directive which this amendment Order implements are as follows:

Commission Directive 2007/41/EC makes minor changes to the list of areas recognised in Directive 2000/29 as protected zones against certain organisms harmful to plant health in the Community. None of these changes apply to the UK. The Directive also adds Vitis L. to the list of material requiring a plant passport when introduced into or moved within a protected zone.

Commission Decision 2007/365/EC introduces emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and spread within the Community of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red palm weevil), a serious pest of palms such as the coconut palm, date palm or oil palm. The order adds Rhynchophorus ferrugineus to the list of prohibited insects in the Plant Health (England) Order 2005 and introduces new requirements for the import and movement of susceptible plants.

Commission Decision 2007/433/EC introduces emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and spread within the Community of Gibberella circinata, a fungus which can cause significant mortality on Pinus species. The order adds Gibberella circinata to the list of prohibited fungi in the Plant Health (England) Order 2005 and introduces new requirements for the import and movement of susceptible plants.

Commission Decision 2007/410/EC introduces additional measures to prevent the introduction and spread of Potato spindle tuber viroid, an important pathogen of solanaceous crops which can cause yield losses of up to 65% in potato and 50% in tomato. Introduction of the organism is already prohibited under existing legislation but it has been found recently in association with on new host material. The order restricts the introduction and movement of the relevant host material.

Following a series of findings on citrus fruit from Brazil and Argentina, Commission Decision 2004/416/EC laid down temporary emergency measures to prevent the introduction of Guignardia citricarpa and Xanthomonas campestris, (bacterial pathogens harmful to citrus fruit) from those countries. Commission Decision 2006/473/EC lifts the restrictions on citrus fruits originating in Argentina, reflecting a decrease in the number of problems with consignments from that country. This amendment order implements Decision 2004/416 as regards citrus fruit from Brazil.

The Plant Health (England) (Amendment)(No.2) Order 2007 erroneously restricts some of the measures in Decisions 2007/365/EC, 2007/433/EC and 2007/410/EC to material originating from third countries. A further amendment is being introduced on 21 November - The Plant Health (England) (Amendment)(No.3) Order 2007 - to correct that error, by making it clear that material of EU origin is also covered.