Urgent update: Additional import requirements for young tomato and pepper plant imports
Urgent information has been released regarding the import of solanaceous plants for planting from the EU mainland and the stated immediate need for additional phytosanitary restrictions and documentation under new ‘virus free status’ rules.
Please read an explanation of the situation provided below from correspondence sent by Chrisine McDowell, NFU’s Horticulture Policy Advisor:
We have been dealing with an urgent issue regarding new documentary requirements which need to accompany the importing consignments of young pepper and tomato plants. These new requirements have subsequently caused some concerning friction at the border, specifically with consignments from the Netherlands. We have been working with Defra over the last few days, and who have today (14th December 2023) issued a temporary transitional arrangement to prevent any further friction for incoming consignments over the coming weeks.
Brief Background:
Defra introduced new documentation requirements to control Pepper Chat Fruit Virus on imports of young pepper/tomato plants, and notified all importing authorities (including the Dutch) via WTO communication back in July 2023 and followed up with subsequent communications as legislation was laid in November including updating the Plant Health portal and other channels of communication.
The new documentary requirements mean that imports of young pepper and tomato plants for planting must be accompanied with documentation which confirmed that seeds are free of Pepper Chat Fruit Virus and that the plants were grown in an area free from the virus.
It appears that the Dutch faced challenges in meeting this new requirement and it was only when legislation came into force in November 2023 that it became clear the Dutch could not immediately meet the requirements.
Subsequently, over the last 4 working days, the NFU and Defra have been working to unblock several consignments which had been placed on hold on arrival in the UK because they were not accompanied with the documentation in line with these new “virus free status rules”.
We are also aware that Dutch propagators have also communicated with NFU members that they will not send future consignments as they can not meet these new UK requirements.
This issue has caused quite significant distribution at the border and stress for growers who faced potentially not being able to bring in their young pepper and tomato plants for planting.
Temporary solution found:
Following swift action on Defra’s behalf, temporary transitional arrangements have been found which today have been communicated to the Dutch authorities and which provides a temporary resolution until April 2024.
I have attached a letter from the UK Chief Plant Health Officer, Nicola Spence, which outlines this in further detail. This should prevent any further hold ups at the border over coming weeks. Defra have shared this letter with the Dutch authorities and the Dutch plant health service today too.
….we would encourage growers to share this information with their propagators in the Netherlands, and/or other countries where they may be procuring young plants for planting from, to avoid any further confusion, or delays on incoming consignments.
Christine McDowell
Horticulture Adviser, National Farmers Union
Please read the linked letter from Professor Nicola Spence, the UK’s Chief Plant Health Officer. This letter needs to travel with every load of plants to clear the Border Control Point system in the UK. Please talk to your propagator as soon as possible.
The BTGA, along with our NFU Horticulture Board representatives Phil Pearson and Rob James, are currently working on a longer-term resolution to this issue and a temporary resolution has been found which expires in March 2024.
We will continue to update you on progress towards a long term resolution in due course.
Please share this information with anyone who needs to be aware of this important issue.
Contact phil.morley@britishtomatoes.co.uk if you have any questions.