Introduction to Plant Health
Defra’s Plant Health Division (PHD) is based at York. It has responsibility for the plant health aspects of import and export arrangements applicable to plants, plant pests, plant produce and soil and growing medium in England and Wales in conjunction as necessary with Welsh Assembly Government. (Forest trees/wood/pests are the responsibility of the Forestry Commission). PHD is also responsible for the Seed Potato Classification Scheme (SPCS) and Plant Health Propagation Scheme (PHPS) and the marketing of ornamental, fruit and vegetable propagating material. It also produces a range of publicity material on pests and diseases and other information guides on plant health issues.
Defra’s Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI) carries out import and export inspections, issues phytosanitary certificates, oversees eradication campaigns and the operation of the EU plant passport regime and certifies crops in relation to statutory and voluntary certification schemes. It also undertakes work on seed certification and enforcement. There are about 40 local PHSI offices (please click here for regional offices) and a headquarters at York. A leaflet and information pack on the work of the PHSI are available from Defra Publications. The PHSI has published a Charter Document and Code of Enforcement. A summary of a Customer satisfaction survey has also been published.
| The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) is an executive agency of Defra and provides scientific support on plant health matters. It carries out assessments of risks from particular pests and commodities, identifies pests on samples submitted by the PHSI and provides advice on interceptions and outbreaks of pests and diseases. CSL also carries out a number of research and development projects linked to the plant health needs of the UK. |
In Scotland, plant health matters are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive (with scientific support from SASA) whilst in Northern Ireland, responsibility falls to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland (DARDNI). PHSI liases with Welsh Assembly Government on field activities in Wales as necessary.
Please visit the Forms and regulations area of our Web site where you can view and download many of the application forms and explanatory leaflets relating to the above subjects. If you have a query or complaint about the policy underlying Plant Health regulations you should address it to Plant Health Division. Specific procedures apply if you have a complaint about the services provided by the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate.
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Page last modified:
18 Oct 2006
Page published: 3 May 2003