Defra

Continuing awareness, early identification and the implementation of official plant protection measures will help further limit the introduction and spread of this quarantine disease in the UK. As part of the measures being taken by the Plant Health & Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI) a series of on-the-spot inspections are being carried out at ports that could be used to bring in Phytophthora-susceptible material from EU Member States. So far over 200 dockside inspections have been carried out.

The survey, which started towards the end of February, will run for approximately 3 months. Checks are being carried out at random during the day and night, at ports which have been identified as high risks points of entry. Inspectors will be looking for Phytophthora hosts and checking plant passport and destination details. Any material that is found to be confirmed as positive, or has incorrect documentation will be destroyed under Statutory Notice. The need for the survey to be extended will be considered at the end of the initial 3 months period.

For further guidance please refer to the information on plant passporting requirements. A plant health information leaflet is available which gives details of the symptoms of Phytophthora ramorum  (pdf), how it develops and spreads and what action should be taken if the presence of the disease is suspected. Any queries should be directed to your local PHSI or the PHSI HQ, York (click here for contact details).

 

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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs