27 November 2019
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise that export conditions for plants and plant products destined for the European Union (EU) will change from 14 December 2019.
Summary of changes and key points
- From 14 December, all plants and plant products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate to enter into the EU, unless they are listed as exempted in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.
- The following species of seed for sowing produced on or after 14 December 2019 must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with a revised additional declaration before permitted entry into the EU:
- Medicago sativa
- Oryza sativa
- Capsicum annuum
- Solanum lycopersicum
- Pisum sativum
- Vicia faba
- Allium porrum
- Phaseolus coccineus
- Phaseolus vulgaris
- Allium cepa
- Linum usitatissimum
- Glycine max
- Helianthus annuus
- The department’s Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) and additional declarations will be updated to reflect the changes. Any further changes will be advised via an IAN.
- Nursery stock MICoR cases for individual EU member states will be removed and the department will examine the need for these cases subject to the confirmation of new conditions from exporters and importing countries.
Note: This does not apply to MICoR cases for seed for sowing, which outline additional declaration requirements for seed to be re-exported from the EU. - This change in regulation is to be binding in its entirety and directly applicable to all EU member states as stipulated in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.
Exporters responsibilities
Exporters should check the European Union or individual EU member states (countries) import conditions and provide documentary evidence of established import requirements before requesting MICoR updates.
Exporters should continue to check MICoR for updates prior to planning for the export to the EU.
Exporters should contact the department to request a phytosanitary certificate for their consignment.
Background
The EU have conducted a review of their current conditions under the Council Directive 2000/29/EC on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community.
The EU will be enforcing amended conditions under the Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 from 14 December 2019.
Current EU Plant Health Legislation and information about future changes is available on the European Commission website.
Previous notice of this review was outlined in IANs 2019-40 and 2019-41.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email the Horticulture Exports Program (for nursery stock) or the Grain and Seed Exports Program (for seed for sowing).
David Ironside
Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch