Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: annew on December 18, 2019, 05:10:39 PM
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Another nurseryman alerted me to the new regulations that have just come into force regarding plant passports.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/issuing-plant-passports-to-trade-plants-in-the-eu#apply-to-be-authorised (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/issuing-plant-passports-to-trade-plants-in-the-eu#apply-to-be-authorised)
If you haven't heard of this, it requires every plant/seed sold by a nursery to have a plant passport. The only ones exempted are plants sold direct to the consumer eg at shows. Any online or mail order selling is covered by this. Even plants moved from one site belonging to a nursery to another, if more than 10 miles away, will also require a passsport. All nurseries will need to be inspected, I can't find out how often, and the charges are as follows:
The fees are £61.58 for each 15 minutes (or part thereof) with a minimum fee of £123.16.
The fees are payable for each 15 minutes (or part thereof) spent in carrying out the inspection and any associated activities. These associated activities include the time it takes inspectors to travel to your site and any administration relevant to that inspection, subject to the minimum fees.
The fee for renewal inspections is the same as for first inspections.
Bearing in mind many, if not most, nurseries are situated in the countryside (some a LONG way from their nearest APHA office) this could mount up to a very worrying cost.
I've been trying to get clarification from my local APHA office, and their reply is that they don't know either.... ::)
As a small mail order nursery owner ( both the nursery and myself are petite) this could be a game changer. Along with the possible complication of CITES certificates being needed in the future for some exports to the EU,
the future of our business looks rather uncertain.
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From the title this presumably only refers to trade outside the UK ? Does it mean that obtaining seeds from other countries is going to get really difficult ? We run a 'nursery' in Sheffield Botanic Gardens but it isn't commercial and we only sell in the garden and at local Plant Fairs. However, we sometimes supply plants to other botanic gardens. Are these subject to the paassport ?
Can see the relevance in terms of plant pathogens but not in terms of trade if this is simply a Brexit consequence.
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Given that the information quoted is from 2015 it clearly has nothing to do with Brexit.
But I agree that it is worrying. I am not a “nurseryman”, but over 50% of my eBay sales of my surplus Pleione go to the continent. I was expecting CITES to end these sales (exactly when is an interesting question and I started preChristmas this year in case anything happens at the end of January) but this also seems to apply to me and not just exports but uk sales as well. But given the scale of plant sales on eBay and their disregard for rules and regulations, this is an enforcement impossibility.
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From the title this presumably only refers to trade outside the UK ? Does it mean that obtaining seeds from other countries is going to get really difficult ? We run a 'nursery' in Sheffield Botanic Gardens but it isn't commercial and we only sell in the garden and at local Plant Fairs. However, we sometimes supply plants to other botanic gardens. Are these subject to the paassport ?
Can see the relevance in terms of plant pathogens but not in terms of trade if this is simply a Brexit consequence.
No, it applies to trade within the UK as well.
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It more to do with plants that have an agriculture use than anything else
List of plants
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/852649/plant-passports-plant-products.pdf (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/852649/plant-passports-plant-products.pdf)
further info
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/issuing-plant-passports-to-trade-plants-in-the-eu#when-you-need-a-plant-passport (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/issuing-plant-passports-to-trade-plants-in-the-eu#when-you-need-a-plant-passport)
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I wish it were, that was probably the original intention, but we fall under:
whole plants or living parts of plants (cuttings etc.) that are not planted and
the intention is for them to be planted
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This is a horrible regulation, I've tried reading it - and the original text is way worse than it seems most people had expected. It'll be the death of every seed collector business; it'll kill of most small, independent nurseries; and of course most seed exchanges. I fear for the future of the plant societies dependent on international members as the only easy country left to ship seeds into is Canada, with Norway and New Zealand being second and third. :'(
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As a small mail order nursery owner ( both the nursery and myself are petite) this could be a game changer. Along with the possible complication of CITES certificates being needed in the future for some exports to the EU,
the future of our business looks rather uncertain.
The UK phytosanitary inspection fees are already prohibitively expensive, even without CITES - and with Brexit happening (which I had hoped would mean the UK would ignore the latest regulations) I suspect it'll be better to finish any sales to the EU while you're still able to.
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As far as I can see, these new regulations only apply to professionals (i.e.businesses) so should not really affect our seed exchanges. But it is a burdensome thing for nurseries etc. The Horticultural Trades Association have what I thought was quite a helpful short video explaining the new regulations and what businesses need to do - it can be viewed here:
https://hta.org.uk/assurance-compliance/plant-passporting.html (https://hta.org.uk/assurance-compliance/plant-passporting.html)
Paul
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As far as I can see, these new regulations only apply to professionals (i.e.businesses) so should not really affect our seed exchanges. But it is a burdensome thing for nurseries etc. The Horticultural Trades Association have what I thought was quite a helpful short video explaining the new regulations and what businesses need to do - it can be viewed here:
https://hta.org.uk/assurance-compliance/plant-passporting.html (https://hta.org.uk/assurance-compliance/plant-passporting.html)
Paul
the important words there are "in the event of leaving the EU with a deal" so that has not yet happened
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Latest email this morning from FERA:
We are now implementing SRSF in full and therefore for ‘distance selling’ you will need to be authorised to issue plant passports to fully comply with the legislation.
You need to complete both forms from the link below (scroll down to ‘Apply to be authorised’) and return to the email address given
https://www.gov.uk/.../issuing-plant-passports-to-trade... (https://www.gov.uk/.../issuing-plant-passports-to-trade...)
and our HQ team will reply within a few days with your authorisation.
You will then need to send Plant Passport labels in the new format with the bulbs. (see the link above for charges and the format of the label).
If you continue to sell bulbs on ebay without a Plant Passport, the risk in the short term, is mainly if they go to the EU- and may be destroyed if found not to comply with SRSF
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I filled in and emailed the forms at 12.45 today, and in half an hour had the reply with my authorisation. I'm now ready to produce my own passports so our ebay offerings will begin next week!😃😃
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Well that was quick and painless, took me longer to fill it out both of them, than it did for them Reply with my authorisation.
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I've been following this topic with interest - I also run a small nursery. I sell at a select few shows, lectures and talks, but also lots by mail order. Many of my customers are EU based. I have been aware that the new regulations were coming into play for sometime, but if I'm honest, I have been burying my head in the sand! There are lots of questions and few concrete answers. This thread has been helpful, so thank you to those who have contributed.
It seems it is easy to apply for authorisation to issue the new plant passports, which is great to hear, even if it adds a bit of work to fulfilling each order. I can live with that. However, the costs and frequency of any subsequent inspections are still unknown. Has anyone got any answers to that? What did the inspection involve? My nursery is essentially a 'back garden nursery' and certainly not a typical commercial site. A high annual cost might just be the tipping point for me in what is already a hard way to make a living!
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I filled in and emailed the forms at 12.45 today, and in half an hour had the reply with my authorisation. I'm now ready to produce my own passports so our ebay offerings will begin next week!😃😃
Does this mean, that you can continue to sell also to EU later? That would be great. :) :) :)
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Just to inform nurseries in Scotland who maybe worrying about passport fees. The flat rate for Scotland is £87.73 for the year (this includes inspection). Inspection is a flexible period starting from spring and varies for different crops.
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This may be of interest :
https://www.nfuonline.com/sectors/horticulture-and-potatoes/horticulture-and-potatoes-news/defra-confirms-it-will-take-a-pragmatic-stepped-approach-to-the-new-plant-health-regulation/ (https://www.nfuonline.com/sectors/horticulture-and-potatoes/horticulture-and-potatoes-news/defra-confirms-it-will-take-a-pragmatic-stepped-approach-to-the-new-plant-health-regulation/)
"This confirmation follows combined action from across industry, including the NFU who worked alongside other stakeholders to highlight grower concerns about the new Regulation and its implementation. Alongside this pragmatic approach, the NFU also secured confirmation from Defra that a Plant Passport could list multiple different species on it, and can be attached to a trolley of a mix of species, even when those species are in separate pots or other units (e.g. trays or boxes), in cases where that trolley is going directly to retail and traceability is maintained for all the plants and plant products on that trolley. "
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Thanks, Maggi. That was the advice I got (although not as clearly put). So I just need a passport for each parcel of bulb/plants I send out. Not exactly clear what we need to put on the actual passport label in those circumstances. Part A is supposed to give the plant species. Are we supposed to list the different species?
On this document https://www.gov.uk/guidance/issuing-plant-passports-to-trade-plants-in-the-eu#attachment-of-the-plant-passport (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/issuing-plant-passports-to-trade-plants-in-the-eu#attachment-of-the-plant-passport), this bit of the 'advice' is confusing, I think:
Multiple plant species can be listed on a single plant passport as long as traceability is provided for all regulated plants or plant products listed on the plant passport.
If there is a mix of plants on a trolley, then the passport may only be attached to the trolley if it is going directly to retail. The passport must be attached to the trolley itself, and cannot travel separately with a driver. Plants or plant products on the trolley can have a passport attached to that trolley at any stage of the supply chain if they are:
homogenous in composition (of the same species and in the same format) and origin
heading to the same destination
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Just received this email from planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk
"Thank You. Your application has been received by PHSI. Your unique application reference is xxxxxx/xxxxxx. Please quote this number when referring to this application.
This is your first application to issue plant passports. Consequently you need to contact your local inspector prior to marketing/moving any plants that require a passport and arrange any necessary inspections.
When you are authorised, it is not transferable without written authority from APHA. It replaces all previous authorities granted to the registered company or person to whom it is addressed. Any authority issued may be revoked or amended at any time, and is at all times subject to the restrictions or prohibitions contained in any statutory notice then in force on your premises.
You are currently not authorised to issue Plant Passport(s). Please contact your local inspector.
You have no authorisations to issue protected zone plant passports.
If you have any questions concerning this renewal notice, please contact your local inspector"
So I am now not authorised to issue them >:(
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Hi Neil,
I got the same one last week. I contacted my APHA person and he replied:
Apologies for this email. It is automatically generated when the applications are put on the system which is something our Admin teams have now started. It is based on the old plant passporting system and work is going on to remove/amend it.
He also said: In the last few weeks there have been some developments regarding hobbyist clients that won’t need to passport
Don't know how that will affect us. I'll update as soon as I have any news.
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Okay brilliant, mines not answering his phone.
Thanks
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Update on regs for 'hobby gardeners', charities etc:
https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/assets/uploads/Amateurs-Hobbyists-Factsheet-v2.pdf (https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/assets/uploads/Amateurs-Hobbyists-Factsheet-v2.pdf)
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Administration, always administration they kill business everywhere.
Does ebay sellers care about passport....hum hum
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Just been told that selling on eBay even one plant you need to be registered. When I questioned him about eBay sellers and what they are going to do about it. He said do I want arrange an inspection I kept pushing about it but no joy.
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It's impossible to control and many nurseries from all the world's corners will continue to sell without any passport or it'll sign their death.
PPE is only need when you sell plants by mail and ship to a protected zone. eg buxus shipped from NL to IT, as buxus are almost 90% destroyed there by Cydalima. I've read the whole EEC document and many samples are well explained.
But selling an Allium bulb from NL to IT doesn't need any passport, except the old one for wholesale trades.
Only seeds that are under a patent or under certification process will need this passport but if you ship a packet of papaver seeds to a friend you don't need the passport.
There're many confusions around this new passport, i think peoples need to read carefully the whole document.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019R2072&from=EN
Try to find an Androsace or any saxifraga in this document, nothing, so you still can ship these plants without PP.
The nurseries that already own the old PP don't need to renew it until 14 December 2023.
The new registered ones need to have their certificated number on any support, even a 4x4x6 pot, it can be on the thermo label.
A government control may be done once every 2 years.
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Yann
ANNEX XIII
List of plants, plant products and other objects for which a plant passport is required for movement within the
Union territory
1. All plants for planting, other than seeds.
Does not need to name species when this is included.
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Yes off course, that's not new. I was talking about PPE, UK nurseries selling to EU are concerned by it.
PPE (export) will replace the old CITES forms. In fact all plants concerned by potential quarantine.
Otherwise plants trade withing EU need to be labelled and travel with a list. Exception for trays and trolleys even mixed that only need to be referenced and travel with a list (paper or electronic), in this case the smallest unit is the trolley.
At work we transport plants for many garden centers and nurseries all around EU and nothing really change.
We transmit to customs the plants list loaded in the trucks. We've only one customer that sticks labels on tray (done by robot), the others only tag the trolleys.
We also transport palets of parcels filled with plants from the number one mailbox seller of France. Each pot has a label with EU flag, the registered seller number, the latin name, internal ref. In each parcel the invoice with the reference list, that's all. It changes nothing for them, they do the same for 27 years.
The pallets are then delivered to the Post warehouse and shipped in Europe.
Since december 2019 zero control.
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Yann it all depends on what deal is reached, not hopeful myself that there will be a deal, and as I only sell orchids, I can't see the UK staying in the EU CITES group as it has already been stated by the UK government that they want a UK voice on all these of things. I sell more orchids to the EU than the UK, so I am already resigned to the fact I am going to have a much smaller market.
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A further snippet of info:
Another nurseryman told me that parcels sent with the passport on the outside of the parcel were returned to him, and he was advised to put it inside the box. I asked my local people and they confirmed that it should go INSIDE the parcel.