Update: Release of new guidance
On Thursday 10 December, Defra released new guidance and information on EU – GB imports of plant and plant products following the end of the Transition Period.
New information released included APHA’s anticipated Service Level Agreement (SLA) for Places of Destination (PoD) checks. The SLA provides assurances of four working hour inspection windows for PoD checks and confirmation that, should APHA be unable to meet this commitment, goods will be released, with some very limited exceptions. This follows NFU engagement with Defra, raising industry concerns over the impacts of long waiting times and delayed checks to businesses. Read the SLA in full here.
Other updates released include:
- Guidance on PoD checks for multi-drop import consignments.
- Updates on GB’s “Reduced Physical Check Regime” for EU imported plant and plant products that will be subject to physical checks post-transition.
- Defra’s hierarchy of risk for EU plant and plant product imports.
- and other updated information including risk categorisation and importing CITES plants.
In the run up to the end of the transition period, Defra has carried out a series of webinars on the changes to plant trade from 1 January 2021.
You can watch them again below and also download the presentations.
These will be of help those who import and export plants and plant products between Great Britain (GB), the European Union (EU) and Northern Ireland (NI).
The topics covered included:
- what you need to do to import/export plants and plant products between GB and the EU and NI
- what you need to do to move plants internally in GB
- steps you need to take before 31 December 2020
- guidance, documents, and links
- support and advice opportunities available
The webinars do not cover IT systems. Defra has announced that videos and user guidance on IT systems is due to be released shortly.
Internal movement of plants and plant products within GB
This webinar was for traders who move plants and plant products internally within GB under the UK Plant Passporting scheme (previously the EU plant passporting scheme)
Download the presentation slides here.
Imports of plants and plant products, EU to GB
This webinar was for importers of plants and plant products from the EU to GB
Download the presentation slides here.
Exports of plants and plant products, GB to EU
This webinar is for exporters of plants and plant products from GB to the EU.
Download the presentation slides here.
The NFU’s horticulture and potatoes team hosted their own virtual meeting which outlined what you need to know about EU/GB imports and exports of plants and plant products from 1 January 2021, alongside other trade concerns including equivalency.
Watch it again here.
You might also be interested in:
- See the NFU’s briefing for changes to UK-EU trade in plants and plant products from 1 January 2021
- Brexit: Important information British plant growers need to know now if they import from the EU
Exporting products of animal origin to the EU or Northern Ireland? Register for GEFS
