The directive states that all consignments of products requiring a plant health certificate must be inspected meticulously at the port of entry prior to customs clearance.

A charge will be levied for the performance of an inspection. Importers will have to give prior notice of arrivals of such products. As previously reported in the Journal, the directive is due to come into force on January 1, 2005.

The trade faces the same potential problems as it did under the original form of the regulation that required inspections for conformity with the marketing standards. These include:

• backlogs at ports and airports

FRESH WHOLESALE VIEW

The Wholesale Division this week hosted a meeting of the Freshfel Wholesale and Distribution Division at New Spitalfields Market.

Forty wholesalers drawn from the UK and Europe were appreciative of the hospitality provided by Spitalfields during the day. The FPC would like to add its thanks to those given at the event.

The agenda included discussion on the following topics:

• an analysis of the development of the food service sector throughout Europe

• a report on Freshfel research into European wholesale markets

• a presentation of the guide on best practices between wholesalers and market authorities being developed by the World Union of Wholesale Markets

• a discussion on the comparative experiences of implementing the Packaging Waste regulations in different member states

• an analysis of the operation of returnable pallets and packaging

• the future programme of activities for the Freshfel Wholesale Division

The meeting was also given a report on the activities of the other divisions of Freshfel. A full report will be made available.

• delays to deliveries

• lack of facilities for storing consignments at ports

• product losses

The FPC was very successful in working with Defra to change the regulation and find a practical solution for both sides.

Unfortunately, the plant health directive is the result of more than five years of negotiation among the EU member states. So it will be very difficult to secure a change to the directive itself.

It was agreed that Defra would research what resources it would need to implement the directive. It seems likely that the plant health inspectorate would require a large increase in staff numbers to carry out such inspections.

It will also compare notes with the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate to find any similarities to the problems caused by the 1148/2001 regulation.

The FPC will talk to Freshfel, the European trade organisation, and its other colleagues throughout Europe, particularly in Holland where there are fears that the directive will interfere with the functioning of the auction system.

The resulting evidence will be presented to Defra policy advisors in early January. The FPC expects it to become clear that the directive cannot be implemented in its existing form.

Defra will also provide guidance on bilateral agreements between the EU and third countries on plant health inspections, which could allow inspections to be carried out in the country of origin.

The FPC will also welcome a Defra official to explain the situation at the next Importers Division meeting on November 26.

CODE REVISION DUE FOR JANUARY

Since the third edition of the FPC Code of Practice for the Control of Pesticides was published a great deal has happened, both in terms of the legislation and the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices.

As a result it has been decided to carry out a major revision of the Code. New features to be included are:

• information on the legislative review process for both MRLs and active ingredients

• clarification of the different types of MRL that now exist

• a comprehensive glossary

• information on both EurepGAP and the Assured Produce Scheme

• incorporation of our advice on how to deal with third countries that do not have a robust approval scheme

It is our intention to complete the revisions in time to publish the Code of Practice at the joint FPC/Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association conference on January 20, 2004.