Defra

Since 1st Nov 02 EC measures have required the passporting of plants of Viburnum and Rhododendron (excluding R. simsii). As announced on this web site on 14th June 04 Commission Decision 2004/426/EC extended passporting to Camellia but removed the requirement for foliage to be passported. These changes have been implemented by the Plant Health (Phytophthora ramorum) (England) Order 2004. This Statutory Instrument (SI 2590) can be viewed at http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2004/20042590.htm.

The arrangements will operate in a similar way to those which already apply to host plants of fireblight disease, for example. All deliveries to commercial growers, retailers and landscapers have to be accompanied by a plant passport issued by growers who are registered and authorised for the purpose.

Registration is free with no time limit. Authorisation to issue passports will be granted annually on the basis of an official inspection of the plants during the growing season and a check on record keeping. These official inspections are chargeable at the standard PHSI rate of £81 per hour on site.

If an Inspector finds Rhododendron (excluding R. simsii), Viburnum or Camellia plants without the necessary plant passporting information the Inspector will require the plants to be destroyed under Statutory Notice. This applies to plants from UK suppliers as well as to those supplied from outside the UK.