The measures will apply to fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and plants from non-EC countries that require a plant health certificate.

The regulations specify measures to prevent the introduction into the European Community, and the spread of serious pests and diseases of plant and plant produce, including fruit, vegetables and flowers.

There are five envisaged implications for imports into the UK outlined in the regulations: the inspection of all consignments of products subject to plant health controls imported from non-EC countries; plant health checks will have to be carried out before customs clearance; the plant health inspectorate will introduce charges to cover the costs of import inspections; all importers of plant health controlled good must be registered and importers must give advance notice to the plant health authorities of the arrival of controlled products.

The UK authorities are continuing to develop their plans for the implementation of these requirements, and more details are expected to follow during early summer.

The existing policy of the UK plant health authorities is to target consignments according to risk, so there will be a significant change in inspection policy.

Authorities in the UK have accepted the likelihood that it will not have the necessary infrastructure in place to implement the new regulations fully on January 1, 2005. Defra has indicated to the European Commission that April 1, 2005 is a more realistic target starting date.

Defra Plant Health Division, in conjunction with the FPC, will invite interested parties to a seminar later in the year to discuss implementation of these regulations. Although implementation may be delayed, members are advised to take all the necessary steps within their own businesses to ensure they meet the needs of the legislation not later than January 1, 2005.

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