The Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 2006

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

PART 1GENERAL

Citation and Commencement

1. This Order may be cited as the Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 and shall come into operation on 31st March 2006.

General interpretation

2.—(1) In this Order—

“area of plant health control” is defined in Article 10(2);
“authorised officer” means—
(a)
an authorised representative of the responsible official body of the country in which a plant passport is issued, a public servant acting under the authority of such a representative or a qualified agent employed by the responsible official body, in any case who shall be appropriately qualified;
(b)
a person permitted by Swiss legislation to issue a Swiss plant passport; or
(c)
an authorised representative of the responsible official body or the national plant protection organisation of the country in which a phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export or a translation of a phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export is issued, or a public officer acting under the authority of such a representative;
“consignment” means a quantity of goods being covered by a single document required for customs formalities or for other formalities under this Order, and may be composed of one or more lots;
“Customs Act” means the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979(1);
“Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;
“Directive 93/85/EC” means Council Directive 93/85/EC(2)on the control of Potato Ring Rot;
“Directive 98/57/EC” means Council Directive 98/57/EC(3) on the control of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al.;
“Directive 2000/29/EC” means Council Directive 2000/29/EC(4) on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community as amended by Commission Directives 2001/33/EC(5), 2002/28/EC(6), 2002/36/EC(7), 2003/22/EC(8),
2003/47/EC(9), 2003/116/EC(10), 2004/31/EC(11), 2004/70/EC(12), 2004/102/EC(13), 2005/16/EC(14), Council Directive 2002/89/EC(15) and by Article 20 and Annex II of the Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the European Union is founded(16);
“documentary check” means an examination to determine that the consignment or lot is accompanied by the required certificates, alternative documents or marks, as specified in Article 13(1)(ii) of the Directive;
“early potatoes” means potatoes which are harvested before they are completely mature, marketed immediately after they have been harvested and whose skins can be easily removed without peeling;
“EC transit goods” means any relevant material introduced into Northern Ireland from a third country via another part of the European Community;
“Euro-Mediterranean area” means the geographical area comprising Europe, Algeria, Ceuta, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Melilla, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and the area of Turkey east of the Bosphorus Strait known as Anatolia;
“Europe” includes European Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine, Turkey (except the area east of the Bosphorus Strait known as Anatolia), Kazakhstan (except the area east of the Ural river) and the Canary Islands;
“European Community” means the territories of the member States including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands but excluding the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and the French Overseas Departments;
“fruit” means fruit in the botanical sense but does not include dried, dehydrated, lacquered or deep frozen fruit;
“importer”, in relation to any plant pest or relevant material at any time between their landing from a third country and the time when they are discharged by an inspector under this Order, includes any owner or other person for the time being possessed of or beneficially interested in the plant pest or relevant material;
“inspector” means any person authorised by the Department to be an inspector for the purposes of this Order;
“IPPC” means the International Plant Protection Convention 1951(17);
“ISPM No. 4” means International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 4 of February 1996(18) on Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas, prepared by the Secretariat of the IPPC established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations;
“ISPM No. 10” means International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 10 of October 1999(19) on Requirements for the establishment of pest free places of production and pest free production sites, prepared by the Secretariat of the IPPC established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations;
“landed” means introduced into Northern Ireland by any means and includes imported by post, and “land” and “landing” shall be construed accordingly;
“lot” means a number of units of a single commodity, identifiable by its homogeneity of composition and origin, and forming part of a consignment;
“national plant protection organisation” means the service established by the government of a third country to discharge the functions specified in Article IV(1)(a) of the IPPC, details of which have been notified—
(a)
in the case of contracting parties to the IPPC, to the Director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations; and
(b)
in all other cases, to the European Commission;
“North America” means the geographical area comprising Canada, Mexico and the USA;
“nursery” means premises wholly or partly used for the cultivation or keeping of plants for the purpose of transplantation or removal to other premises;
“occupier” in relation to any premises means any person in occupation of or in charge of those premises whether he has an estate in them or not;
“official” in relation to any testing or other procedure required by this Order to be carried out in respect of any relevant material means carried out by or under the supervision of the responsible official body or the national plant protection organisation of the country in which the testing or other procedure is carried out and “officially” shall be construed accordingly;
“official body of destination” means the responsible official body in a Member State in charge of the area where the 'customs office of destination is situated;
“official body of point of entry” means the responsible official body in a Member State in charge of the point of entry;
“official label” means a label that meets the relevant requirements set out in Part A or B of Schedule 9, issued by or with the authority of the responsible official body for the member State in which the official label is issued;
“official statement” means a statement issued by an authorised officer or a statement included in a plant passport;
“phytosanitary certificate” means a certificate which complies with the relevant requirements of Articles 7 and 15;
“phytosanitary certificate for re-export” means a certificate which complies with the relevant requirements of Articles 7 and 15;
“place of production” means any premises, normally worked as a unit, together with any contiguous land in the same ownership or occupation as such premises;
“plant” means a living plant (including a fungus, tree or shrub), or a living part of a plant (including a living part of a fungus, tree or shrub), at any stage of growth; and living parts of a plant shall include—
(a)
fruit or seed,
(b)
vegetables, other than those preserved by deep freezing,
(c)
tubers, corms, bulbs or rhizomes,
(d)
cut flowers,
(e)
branches with or without foliage,
(f)
a plant, tree or shrub that has been cut and which retains any foliage,
(g)
leaves or foliage,
(h)
a plant, tree or shrub in tissue culture,
(i)
live pollen, and
(j)
bud wood, cuttings or scions;
“plant health check” means an examination carried out under Article 12(3);
“plant health movement document” means a document which meets the requirements in Schedule 13;
“planting” means any operation for the placing of plants to ensure their subsequent growth, reproduction or propagation;
“plant or shrub in tissue culture” means a plant or shrub growing in a clear liquid or clear solid aseptic culture medium in a closed transparent container;
“plant passport” means a label and, where appropriate, an accompanying document that meets the relevant requirements set out in Part A or B of Schedule 9, issued by or with the authority of the responsible official body for the member State in which the plant passport is issued, and includes a replacement plant passport;
“plant pest” means any pathogen or living organism, other than a vertebrate animal, in any stage of its existence, which is injurious or likely to be injurious to any plant, plant product or tree;
“plant product” means products of plant origin, unprocessed or having undergone simple preparation, in so far as these are not plants;
“plant trader” means—
(a)
an importer of relevant material,
(b)
a producer of relevant material,
(c)
a person in charge of premises used for the storage, aggregation or dispatch of consignments of relevant material, or
(d)
a person who in the course of a trade or business divides up or combines consignments of relevant material;
“potato” means any tuber or true seed or any other plant of Solanum tuberosum L. or other tuber-forming species of the genus Solanum L.;
“Potato Cyst Nematode” means any cyst-forming nematode of the species Globodera pallida Stone Behrens or Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber) Behrens that infests and multiplies on potatoes and any strains or pathotypes of such nematode;
“Potato Ring Rot” means either the disease of potatoes which is caused by the bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. Sepedonicus (Spieckermann and Kotthoff) Davis et al. or that bacterium, as the context may require;
“Potato Wart Disease” means either the disease of potatoes which is caused by the fungus Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilbersky) Percival or that fungus as the context may require;
“premises” includes any land, building (other than a private dwelling house), vehicle, vessel, aircraft, hovercraft, freight container or railway wagon;
“producer”, in relation to relevant material, means a person who grows or makes the material in the course of a trade or business;
“protected zone” means a zone listed in the third column of Annex IV, Part B of Directive 2000/29/EC opposite the reference to the relevant material to which that zone relates;
“register” means the register of plant traders maintained under Article 25(1);
“registered”, in relation to a plant trader, means a trader whose particulars are listed in the register, and “registration” shall be construed accordingly;
“relevant material” means any plant, plant product, tree, soil or growing medium;
“responsible official body” means either the body described in paragraph (i) or the body described in paragraph (ii) of Article 2(1)(g) of Directive 2000/29/EC;
“seed” means seed in the botanical sense other than seed not intended for planting;
“Seed Potatoes Regulations” means the Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001(20);
“South America” means the geographical area comprising Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela;
“Swiss plant passport” means a label and, where appropriate, an accompanying document, issued in Switzerland in accordance with Swiss legislation, which—
(a)
contains information which gives evidence that the legislation in Switzerland relating to plant health standards and special requirements for relevant material moving into and within Switzerland have been complied with; and
(b)
relates to relevant material listed in Part A of Schedule 8;
“third country” means a country or territory other than one within the European Community; and
“USA” means the United States of America except the state of Hawaii.

(2) “Transit”, for the purposes of this Order—

(a)where it occurs in Article 12(5) or (6), has the same meaning as in Article 2(1)(r) of Directive 2000/29/EC; and

(b)where it occurs anywhere else in this Order shall bear its ordinary meaning.

(3) Any reference in this Order to a species shall be construed as a reference to that species or to any of its hybrids.

(4) Any reference in this Order to the European Community, to a member State or a third country includes a reference to a state, country, principality, province or region within the European Community, member State, or third country, as the case may be.

(5) Any reference in this Order to a numbered Article or a numbered Schedule with no corresponding reference to a specific instrument shall be construed as a reference to the Article or Schedule so numbered in this Order.

(6) Any reference in this Order to anything done in writing or produced in written form includes a reference to an electronic communication which has been recorded and is consequently capable of being reproduced.

PART 2IMPORTS FROM THIRD COUNTRIES

Interpretation of Part 2

3. In this Part—

“approved place of inspection” means a place of destination of relevant material approved by the Department under Article 17;

“Customs Code” means Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92(21) establishing the Community Customs Code;

“customs document” means a document required by the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs for placing relevant material under one of the procedures specified in Article 4(16)(a) and (d) to (g) of the Customs Code;

“electronic communications” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Communications Act (Northern Ireland) 2001(22);

“identity check” means an examination of a consignment of relevant material for the purposes of determining whether it corresponds to its description in the documents that accompany it being an examination of that consignment—

(a)

in its entirety; or

(b)

on the basis of one or more representative samples from the consignment or from each lot forming part of the consignment;

“working day”, in relation to the notice requirements in Articles 6(3)(b)(ii) and 16(3) and the period for which material may be detained under Article 14(1), means a period of twenty-four hours which is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday; and

“working hour” means a period of one hour during a working day.

Application of Part 2

4.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the provisions of this Part shall apply to plant pests and relevant material which are introduced into Northern Ireland from a third country either directly or via another part of the European Community.

(2) The provisions of this Part shall only apply to EC transit goods in respect of which the Department has agreed with the official body of point of entry for those goods, in accordance with Article 12(7), to be responsible for certain matters.

Prohibitions and restrictions on landing plant pests and relevant material

5.—(1) The landing in Northern Ireland of the following plant pests and relevant material is prohibited—

(a)any plant pest of a description specified in Schedule 1;

(b)any relevant material of a description specified in column 2 of Schedule 2 carrying or infected with a plant pest of a description specified in column 3 of that Schedule opposite the reference to that relevant material;

(c)any plant pest which, although not specified in Schedule 1 or in column 3 of Schedule 2, is not normally present in Northern Ireland and which is likely to be injurious to plants in Northern Ireland;

(d)subject to paragraph (2), any relevant material of a description specified in column 2 of Schedule 3 which originates in a third country specified in column 3 opposite the reference to that relevant material;

(e)subject to Article 8, any relevant material not prohibited under sub-paragraph (d) which is of a description specified in column 2 of Part A of Schedule 4, unless the requirements specified in column 3 of that Part opposite the reference to that relevant material have been complied with; and

(f)subject to Article 8 and without prejudice to any requirements specified in column 3 of Part A of Schedule 4 relating to the relevant material, any relevant material which is of a description specified in column 2 of Part C of Schedule 4, unless the requirements specified in column 3 of that Part opposite the reference to that relevant material have been complied with.

(2) The prohibition in paragraph (1)(d) shall not apply to any relevant material which is in the course of its consignment between two third countries under appropriate customs procedures and without any change in customs status and which is transported in such a way as to prevent the accidental escape of plant pests.

Advance notification of landing

6.—(1) Subject to Article 30(3), the landing in Northern Ireland by any person of relevant material to which paragraph (2) refers, is prohibited unless he gives notice in accordance with this Article.

(2) The prohibition on landing relevant material in paragraph (1) applies to the landing in Northern Ireland, where Northern Ireland is the point of entry of the material into the Community, of the following relevant material—

(a)any relevant material of a description specified in Part A of Schedule 5; or

(b)any relevant material of a description specified in Part B of Schedule 5 and which is—

(i)listed in column 1 of Part C of Schedule 4;

(ii)listed in the second column of Annex II, Part B of Directive 2000/29/EC and in the course of its consignment to a protected zone listed in the third column opposite the reference to the relevant material; or

(iii)listed in the first column of Annex IV, Part B of Directive 2000/29/EC and in the course of its consignment to a protected zone listed in the third column opposite the reference to the relevant material.

(3) A notice under paragraph (1) shall—

(a)be in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 12;

(b)subject to paragraph (5), be given in time to arrive with the Department—

(i)in the case of any relevant material brought by air; at least four working hours, and

(ii)in any other case; at least three working days,

before the relevant material is landed.

(4) The address to which a notice shall be given under paragraph (1) shall be such address as the Department shall specify from time to time, which may include an address for electronic communications.

(5) Where a person who is required by paragraph (1) to give notice of the landing of any relevant material can reasonably show that he was unable to comply with the periods specified in paragraph (3)(b)(i) or (ii) because he was unaware that the material had been consigned, he shall give notice as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Requirements for certificates

7.—(1) Subject to Articles 8 and 30(2) and to paragraph (6), the landing in Northern Ireland of any relevant material referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of Article 6(2) is prohibited unless that relevant material is accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued in the country in which that material originates or in the country from which it was consigned and, where paragraph (2) applies, by a phytosanitary certificate for re-export.

(2) Where relevant material consigned to Northern Ireland via any third country by way of transit has been split up, combined with other consignments or repackaged, that material shall be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate for re-export issued in the country of transit.

(3) Where relevant material consigned to Northern Ireland via any third country by way of transit has or may have been exposed to infection or contamination by any plant pest, no longer remains the same material specified in the phytosanitary certificate which accompanies it or has been processed so as to change its nature, the phytosanitary certificate required to accompany it shall be issued in the country of transit.

(4) Where relevant material is listed in the first column of Annex IV Part B of Directive 2000/29/EC and the requirement or requirements specified in the second column opposite the reference to that relevant material can only be fulfilled in the country in which the relevant material originates, the phytosanitary certificate required to accompany it shall be issued in that country.

(5) Where a phytosanitary certificate is required by paragraph (2) to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate for re-export, it may consist of a copy of the certificate certified as a true copy of the original by an authorised officer but in all other cases shall be the original certificate.

(6) Provided the relevant material is transported in such a way as to prevent the accidental escape of plant pests and does not undergo any change in its customs status, paragraph (1) does not apply to—

(a)relevant material landed in Northern Ireland which, under appropriate customs procedures, is in the course of its consignment between two third countries; or

(b)relevant material landed in Northern Ireland which has been consigned to Northern Ireland from another part of the European Community via a third country.

Exceptions from certain prohibitions and requirements

8.—(1) The prohibitions on landing relevant material in Article 5(1)(e) and (f), the requirement for advance notification in Article 6(1) and the requirements of Article 7 for relevant material to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export shall not apply to relevant material of a description in paragraph (2), not showing any signs of the presence of any plant pest, landed in Northern Ireland in the baggage of a passenger or other traveller and which—

(a)is not intended for use in the course of a trade or business; and

(b)is intended for household use.

(2) The relevant material referred to in paragraph (1) is material which is—

(a)in one of the following categories, not exceeding the stated quantities—

(i)fruit and raw vegetables (other than potatoes), together not exceeding 2 kilogrammes in weight;

(ii)cut flowers which may include any parts of plants, together forming a single bouquet; or

(iii)seeds (other than seeds of potatoes), not exceeding 5 retail packets or packets of a similar size; or

(b)in one of the following categories, not exceeding the stated quantities, and which has been grown in and consigned to Northern Ireland from the Euro-Mediterranean area—

(i)bulbs, corms, tubers (other than potatoes) and rhizomes, together not exceeding 2 kilogrammes in weight;

(ii)plants for planting, other than those in sub-paragraph (i), not exceeding 5 in number;

(iii)parts of trees including dried cones, leaves and branches, for decoration or which together form a single wreath;

(iv)one cut coniferous tree less than 3 metres in height;

(v)seeds of Castanea (chestnuts), intended for human consumption, not exceeding 2 kilogrammes in weight; or

(vi)tree seedlings, except in bonsai form, not exceeding 5 in number.

(3) For the purpose of paragraph 2(a)(ii), a bouquet shall contain a maximum of 50 stems.

(4) For the purpose of paragraph 2(a)(iii), a retail packet in relation to a particular seed is one which is of a type normally sold to the consumer other than for use in the course of a trade or business.

Presentation and display of documents

9.—(1) Except in the case of consignments referred to in paragraph (3), any phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export required under Article 7 to accompany relevant material shall be delivered by the importer of that relevant material, within three days of its landing, to an inspector.

(2) Subject to Article 30(4), importers shall include in a customs document relating to each consignment of relevant material referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of Article 6(2)—

(a)a statement that “this consignment contains produce of phytosanitary relevance”;

(b)the reference number of any phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export required by Article 7 to accompany the relevant material; and

(c)the registration number of the importer of the relevant material.

(3) In the case of a consignment imported into Northern Ireland by post, any phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export required by Article 7 to accompany that material shall be affixed to the outside of the package comprising the relevant material or, if the consignment of relevant material consists of more than one package, be affixed to the outside of one of the packages and copies of the certificate shall be affixed to the outside of each of the remaining packages.

Prohibition on removal of relevant material from an area of plant health control

10.—(1) Subject to Articles 11 and 30(3), a person shall not remove or cause to be removed from an area of plant health control any relevant material referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of Article 6(2) unless an inspector has discharged that relevant material or the removal of that relevant material is permitted under Part 6.

(2) An area of plant health control is—

(a)the point of entry specified in paragraph (3) where relevant material is landed in Northern Ireland for the first time;

(b)a place close to the point of entry specified in paragraph (3) which has been designated as an area of plant health control by the Department and by the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs; or

(c)an approved place of inspection.

(3) The point of entry, for the purposes of paragraph (2), shall be—

(a)where the relevant material is transported by air, the airport;

(b)where the relevant material is transported by maritime or fluvial transport, the port; and

(c)where the relevant material is transported by rail, the rail freight terminal.

(4) Pending its removal from an area of plant health control, other than at an approved place of inspection, the importer of relevant material shall store it under the supervision of an inspector under such conditions as the inspector may direct and the importer shall be liable for the costs of such storage.

Exceptions from prohibition on removal of relevant material from an area of plant health control

11. The prohibition imposed by Article 10(1) on the removal of relevant material from an area of plant health control unless it has been discharged by an inspector shall not apply to—

(a)any relevant material which is in the course of its consignment between two third countries under appropriate customs procedures and without any change in its customs status and which is transported in such a way as to prevent the accidental escape of plant pests;

(b)any relevant material excepted by Article 8 from the requirements in Article 7; or

(c)any relevant material which is consigned to Northern Ireland from another part of the European Community via a third country without any change in its customs status and which is transported in such a way as to prevent the accidental escape of plant pests.

Plant health discharge

12.—(1) An inspector may discharge relevant material pursuant to Article 10(1) if he is satisfied as to the matters referred to in paragraph (2).

(2) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), an inspector shall satisfy himself—

(a)that the relevant material is free from any plant pest of a description specified in Schedule 1;

(b)if listed in column 2 of Schedule 2, that the relevant material is not carrying or infected with a plant pest of a description specified in column 3 of that Schedule opposite the reference to the relevant material;

(c)if listed in the second column of Annex II, Part B of Directive 2000/29/EC and in the course of its consignment to a protected zone listed in the third column opposite the reference to the relevant material, that the relevant material is not carrying or infected with a plant pest of a description specified in the first column opposite the reference to the relevant material;

(d)if listed in column 2 of Part A or C of Schedule 4, that the relevant material complies with the requirements specified in column 3 of Part A or C, respectively, opposite the reference to the relevant material and, where there is one or more alternative requirements, the requirement declared in the phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export;

(e)if listed in the first column in Annex IV, Part B of Directive 2000/29/EC and in the course of its consignment to a protected zone listed in the third column opposite the reference to the relevant material, that the relevant material complies with the requirements specified in the second column opposite the reference to the relevant material and, where there is one or more alternative requirements, the requirement declared in the phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export;

(f)that the relevant material corresponds with the description given to it in the phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export; and

(g)that the relevant material is accompanied by the certificate or certificate required by Article 7 and, where appropriate, by a plant health movement document.

(3) For the purpose of satisfying himself as to any of the matters in paragraph (2)(a) to (e), an inspector may carry out an examination of a consignment or lot of relevant material and its packaging and, where necessary, the vehicle transporting that consignment or lot—

(a)in its entirety; or

(b)on the basis of one or more representative samples from the consignment or from each lot forming part of the consignment.

(4) For the purpose of satisfying himself as to the matters in paragraph (2)(f), an inspector may carry out an identity check.

(5) For the purpose of satisfying himself as to the matters in paragraph 2(g), an inspector may carry out a documentary check.

(6) Where the official body of destination of any relevant material landed in Northern Ireland for the purpose of transit has agreed with the Department that it will be responsible for some or all of the matters referred to in paragraph (2)(a) to (f), an inspector shall only satisfy himself as to the matters referred to in paragraph (2)(g) and any matters referred to in paragraph (2)(a) to (f) not subject to the agreement.

(7) Where the official body of point of entry of any relevant material that has been consigned to Northern Ireland via another part of the European Community by way of transit has agreed with the Department, as the official body of destination, that the Department shall be responsible for some or all of the matters referred to in paragraph (2)(a) to (f), the matters as to which an inspector shall satisfy himself shall be limited accordingly.

(8) Where an inspector is satisfied as to the matters referred to in paragraph (2)(g) he shall—

(a)stamp the phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export with the official stamp of the Department and the date the certificate was delivered in accordance with Article 9(1); and

(b)where applicable, complete the relevant headings of the plant health movement document.

(9) An inspector may, for the purpose of performing a plant health check, require the occupier or other person in charge of the premises in which the check is to take place to provide—

(a)where appropriate, suitable areas of inspection;

(b)adequate lighting; and

(c)inspection tables.

Request to an officer for Revenue and Customs for material to be detained

13.—(1) Where he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is a risk of spread of any plant pest from any relevant material, an inspector may request an officer for Revenue and Customs to exercise the power in Article 14(1) for the purpose of enabling the inspector to enforce any provision of this Order.

(2) A request under this Article—

(a)may identify the relevant material in any way; and

(b)shall be made—

(i)in writing; or

(ii)orally and confirmed in writing.

(3) Where an inspector issues a notice or takes any other action under this Order in respect of relevant material detained by an officer for Revenue and Customs under Article 14(1) he shall advise that officer in writing of that notice or action.

Power of an officer for Revenue and Customs

14.—(1) An officer for Revenue and Customs may, where requested by an inspector in accordance with Article 13(1), detain for not more than two working days any relevant material or any container, package or cargo of any kind which has been or may have been in contact with that material and which is referred to in that request insofar as the material, container, package or cargo is under customs supervision pursuant to Article 37 of the Customs Code and has not been assigned a customs approved treatment or use within the meaning of Article 4(15) of that Code.

(2) The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs may direct that any relevant material detained under paragraph (1) shall be dealt with during the period of its detention in such manner as they may specify.

(3) The importer of any relevant material detained under paragraph (1) shall be responsible for the costs of storage which arise during the period of its detention.

General provisions relating to certificates

15.—(1) A phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export shall be completed by an authorised officer in accordance with the relevant requirements of this Article and—

(a)until 31st December 2009, shall—

(i)where it is issued by a contracting party to the IPPC, be in the form set out in Part A or B, respectively, of either Schedule 10 or Schedule 11; and

(ii)in any other case, be in the form set out in Part A or B, respectively, of Schedule 10; and

(b)on or after 1st January 2010, shall be in the form set out in Part A or B, respectively, of Schedule 11.

(2) A phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export shall—

(a)be issued by the responsible official body or the national plant protection organisation of the country of export or re-export in accordance with the provisions of Article V(1) of the IPPC;

(b)be issued in one of the official languages of the European Community;

(c)where it is issued in a language other than English, incorporate or be accompanied by a translation into the English language which, if the translation is a document separate from the certificate, shall be completed and signed by an authorised officer;

(d)be addressed to the “Plant Protection Organisations of the Member States of the European Community”; and

(e)be completed in typescript or block capitals.

(3) A phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export issued in respect of any relevant material of a description specified in column 2 of Part A or C of Schedule 4 in which one or more alternative requirement is specified in column 3 of Part A or C, respectively, opposite the reference to that relevant material, shall specify under the heading “Additional declaration” the requirement that has been complied with by reference to the relevant position in Annex IV, Part A Section I or Part B, respectively, of Directive 2000/29/EC.

(4) A phytosanitary certificate or a phytosanitary certificate for re-export shall be based on an inspection carried out not more than 14 days before the date of dispatch of the relevant material to which the certificate relates.

(5) A phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export shall be completed not more than 14 days before the date of the dispatch of the consignment of relevant material which it is to accompany.

Requirements to be met by relevant material prior to inspection at its place or country of destination

16.—(1) This Article applies to relevant material referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of Article 6(2) which—

(a)is the subject of an agreement described in Article 12(6) or (7); or

(b)whether or not it is subject to an agreement referred to in sub-paragraph (a), is destined for an approved place of inspection,

before it has been discharged by an inspector pursuant to Article 10(1).

(2) Save where the Department has authorised otherwise, relevant material to which this Article applies shall not be moved within Northern Ireland or, where applicable, from Northern Ireland to any other place within the European Community, unless its packaging and the vehicles in which it is transported are sealed in such as way that there is no risk of it causing infestation, infection or contamination or of any change in the identity of the material.

(3) The importer of relevant material to which this Article applies, other than relevant material whose destination is elsewhere in the European Community, shall give to the Department notice of the following particulars five working days before it is landed—

(a)the name, address and location of the approved place of inspection or other area of plant health control for which the relevant material is destined;

(b)the scheduled date and time of arrival of the relevant material at the place referred to in paragraph (a);

(c)if available, the individual serial number of any plant health movement document required by Article 18;

(d)if available, the date and place at which that plant health movement document was drawn up;

(e)the name, address and registration number of the importer; and

(f)the reference number of the phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate for re-export required to accompany the relevant material,

and shall notify the Department immediately in writing of any changes to such particulars.

(4) The address to which notice shall be given under paragraph (3) shall be such address as the Department shall specify from time to time which may include an address for electronic communications.

Approved places of inspection

17.—(1) In accordance with the provisions of this Article, the Department may approve a place of destination of relevant material referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of Article 6(2) as an approved place of inspection in relation to that material.

(2) An application for a place of destination of relevant material as an approved place of inspection may be made to the Department by an importer or other person responsible for that place in such form and containing such information as the Department may specify.

(3) An approval may be granted subject to conditions, including conditions relating to the storage of relevant material, and may be withdrawn at any time if the Department no longer considers that the place to which the approval relates is suitable for the purposes for which it was given.

(4) For the purposes of this Article the Department may only approve a place of destination of relevant material that is subject to an agreement described in Article 12(7) if the agreement so provides.

(5) The Department may only approve a place of destination of relevant material as an approved place of inspection where that place has been approved by the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs for use as a temporary storage facility as referred to in Article 185(1) of Commission Regulation 2454/93/EC(23) laying down provisions for the implementation of the Customs Code.

Requirement for plant health movement document

18. Relevant material which is subject to an agreement in Article 12(6) or (7) and which has not been discharged by an inspector pursuant to Article 10(1) shall not be moved within Northern Ireland or, where applicable, from Northern Ireland to any other place within the European Community unless it is accompanied by a plant health movement document.

PART 3INTERNAL COMMUNITY CONTROLS ON MOVEMENT

Prohibitions on landing plant pests and relevant material

19.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the landing in Northern Ireland of plant pests or relevant material of the following descriptions which are introduced into Northern Ireland from another part of the European Community, whether as country of origin or country of transit, is prohibited—

(a)any plant pest of a description specified in Schedule 1;

(d)any relevant material of a description specified in column 2 of Schedule 3 which originates in a third country specified in column 3 opposite the reference to that relevant material;

(e)subject to Article 22, any relevant material not prohibited under sub-paragraph (d) which is of a description specified in column 2 of Part A of Schedule 4, unless the requirements specified in column 3 of that Part opposite the reference to that relevant material have been complied with.

(f)subject to Article 22, any relevant material not prohibited under sub-paragraph (d) which is of a description specified in column 2 of Part B of Schedule 4, unless the requirements specified in column 3 of that Part opposite the reference to that relevant material have been complied with; and

(g)subject to Article 22 and without prejudice to any requirements specified in column 3 of Part A of Schedule 4 relating to the relevant material, any relevant material which is of a description specified in column 2 of Part C of Schedule 4, unless the requirements specified in column 3 of that Part opposite the reference to that relevant material have been complied with.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to relevant material prohibited from landing in Northern Ireland by Article 5(1)(e) or (f).

Prevention of the spread of plant pests

20.—(1) A person shall not knowingly keep, store, sell, plant, move or otherwise dispose of or knowingly cause or permit to be kept, stored, sold, planted, moved or otherwise disposed of—

(a)any plant pest of a description specified in Schedule 1;

(d)any relevant material landed in contravention of Article 5(1)(d), (e) or (f) or Article 19(1)(d),(e), (f) or (g);

(e)subject to Article 22, any relevant material of a description specified in column 2 of Part B of Schedule 4 which originates in Northern Ireland, unless the requirements specified in column 3 of that Part opposite the reference to that relevant material have been complied with;

(f)subject to Article 22 and without prejudice to any requirements specified in column 3 of Part B of Schedule 4 relating to the relevant material, any relevant material of a description specified in column 2 of Part C of Schedule 4 which originates in Northern Ireland, unless the requirements specified in column 3 of that Part opposite the reference to that relevant material have been complied with; or

(g)any relevant material introduced into Northern Ireland from England, Scotland or Wales which, if it had been introduced from a third country or from another part of the European Community, would have contravened Article 5(1)(d), (e) or (f) or Article 19(1)(d), (e), (f) or (g).

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prohibit the keeping, storing, moving or otherwise disposing of any plant pest or relevant material referred to in that paragraph in compliance with any requirement imposed by an inspector under Part 6 in respect of that plant pest or relevant material.

Requirements for plant passports

21.—(1) Subject to paragraph (7) and Article 22, the landing in or movement within Northern Ireland by any person of any relevant material of a description specified in Part A of Schedule 6 comprising EC transit goods or material originating in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the European Community is prohibited, unless that relevant material is accompanied by a plant passport and, if originating in Northern Ireland, has been the subject of a satisfactory inspection at the place of production.

(2) Subject to paragraph (7) and Articles 22 and 23, the landing in or movement within Northern Ireland by any person of any relevant material of a description specified in Part B of Schedule 6 comprising EC transit goods or material originating in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the European Community is prohibited, unless that relevant material is accompanied by a plant passport which is valid for Northern Ireland as a protected zone and, if originating in Northern Ireland, has been the subject of a satisfactory inspection at the place of production.

(3) A person shall not move within Northern Ireland any relevant material, which if comprised of EC transit goods or material consigned to Northern Ireland from another part of the European Community would be subject to paragraph (1), after the phytosanitary certificate accompanying it has been officially stamped in accordance with Article 12(8)(a) unless it is accompanied by a plant passport.

(4) Subject to Article 23, a person shall not move within Northern Ireland any relevant material, which if comprised of EC transit goods or material consigned to Northern Ireland from another part of the European Community would be subject to paragraph (2), after the phytosanitary certificate accompanying it has been officially stamped in accordance with Article 12(8)(a) unless it is accompanied by a plant passport which is valid for Northern Ireland as a protected zone.

(5) Subject to Article 22, a person shall not consign from Northern Ireland to another part of the European Community any relevant material of a description specified in Part A of Schedule 7 unless that relevant material is accompanied by a plant passport.

(6) Subject to Article 22, a person shall not consign from Northern Ireland to a protected zone in another part of the European Community any relevant material of a description specified in Part B of Schedule 7 unless that relevant material is accompanied by a plant passport which is valid for that protected zone.

(7) The prohibitions imposed on landing by paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to relevant material in respect of which the Department has agreed, pursuant to an agreement described in Article 12(7), to carry out a plant health check.

Exceptions from certain prohibitions and requirements

22.—(1) The prohibitions on landing in Article 19(1)(e), (f) and (g) and on movement in Article 20(1)(e) and (f) and the requirements in Article 21(1), (2), (5) and (6) for certain relevant material to be accompanied by a plant passport shall not apply to small quantities of any relevant material, not showing any signs of the presence of any plant pest, which—

(a)is not intended for use in the course of a trade or business; and

(b)is intended for household use.

(2) The prohibitions on movement in Article 21(1) and (2) shall not apply to movement of material, which originates in Northern Ireland, made locally by small producers or processors whose entire production and sale of such material is intended for final usage by persons on the local market who are not professionally involved in plant production.

Validity of plant passports for Northern Ireland

23.—(1) Where a person moves relevant material of a description specified in Part B of Schedule 6 through Northern Ireland to a destination outside Northern Ireland, he shall not be required to produce a plant passport which is valid for Northern Ireland as a protected zone, if paragraph (2) or (3) applies.

(2) A plant passport shall not be required in respect of relevant material described in paragraph (1) if that material originates in Great Britain.

(3) A plant passport shall not be required in respect of relevant material described in paragraph (1)—

(a)which during transit through Northern Ireland is accompanied by a document of a type normally used for trade purposes which certifies that the material originates outside Northern Ireland and is in transit to a final destination outside Northern Ireland; and

(b)if its packaging and any vehicle used in connection with its transit through Northern Ireland is—

(i)free from soil and plant debris;

(ii)free from any relevant plant pest in relation to which Northern Ireland is a protected zone;

(iii)of such a nature or construction as to ensure that, if any relevant plant pest is present in the relevant material, there is no risk of its spreading from the packaging or the vehicle as the case may be; and

(iv)sealed immediately after packaging or where appropriate after loading, and remains sealed during transit through Northern Ireland.

General provisions relating to plant passports

24.—(1) Any alteration or erasure in a plant passport shall automatically invalidate that plant passport unless the alteration or erasure is certified by the authorised officer or the plant trader authorised under Article 29 to issue the plant passport placing his hand written initials next to the alteration or erasure.

(2) A plant passport relating to any relevant material shall be treated as accompanying that relevant material only if the plant passport is affixed to—

(a)the relevant material,

(b)the packaging of that material, or

(c)the vehicle transporting that material,

by an authorised officer, the plant trader authorised to issue it or an inspector.

(3) A plant passport, insofar as it comprises an official label, shall be affixed in such a way that it cannot be re-used.

(4) A person may only issue a replacement plant passport—

(a)to replace a plant passport issued in respect of a consignment—

(i)that has been divided up;

(ii)that has been combined, or part of which has been combined, with another consignment; or

(iii)whose plant health status has been changed; and

(b)if he is satisfied that the relevant material to which the replacement plant passport will relate—

(i)can be identified; and

(ii)is free from any risk of infestation by a plant pest specified in either Schedule 1 or 2.

PART 4REGISTRATION OF PLANT TRADERS AND AUTHORITY TO ISSUE PLANT PASSPORTS

Register of plant traders

25.—(1) The Department shall maintain a register listing the following particulars with respect to each plant trader who meets the requirements of this Part:

(a)the name of the plant trader;

(b)the name of the person responsible for making the application where that person is not the plant trader;

(c)the trading name of the plant trader where that name is different from that of the plant trader;

(d)details of those activities to which this Order applies which the plant trader undertakes or intends to undertake;

(e)the address of the premises at which the plant trader undertakes or intends to undertake the activities referred to in sub-paragraph (d); and

(f)a registration number unique to the plant trader.

(2) The register maintained under paragraph (1) shall be open to inspection by the European Commission.

Obligation to register

26.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a plant trader shall not engage in any activity to which this Order applies unless he is registered in respect of the activity and the premises at which it takes place.

(2) The requirement in paragraph (1) for a plant trader to be registered shall not apply to a producer whose entire production and sale of relevant material is intended for final use by persons on the local market who are not involved in plant production in the course of a trade or business.

(3) Entries on the register kept under Article 16(1) of the Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1993(24) on the day before the date of the coming into operation of this Order shall, subject to the provisions of this Part, remain in effect for the purposes of this Order as if entered on the register maintained under Article 25(1).

Registration requirements

27.—(1) An application for registration shall be made in writing to the Department and shall be in such form and contain such information as the Department may from time to time reasonably require to enable it to register the plant trader in respect of the activity and premises in relation to which the application is made.

(2) If, after a plant trader has applied to the Department to be registered under paragraph (1) but before registration has taken place, there is any change in his circumstances recorded in the application, he shall notify the Department immediately in writing of any such change.

(3) Every registered plant trader shall notify the Department immediately in writing of any change in the particulars listed in the register with respect to him.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), the Department shall register a plant trader who meets the requirements of this Article in respect of the activity and premises in relation to which he has applied to be registered and shall notify the plant trader when registration has taken place.

(5) The Department shall only register a plant trader in respect of an activity or premises if it is satisfied that he is able and willing to comply with the conditions specified in Article 28(1).

Conditions for maintaining registration as a plant trader

28.—(1) A registered plant trader shall in relation to the activities and premises to which his registration relates comply with the following conditions:

(a)he shall keep an accurate plan of the premises;

(b)he shall keep a record of relevant material purchased by him or brought onto the premises for storage, planting or production on those premises, and of relevant material under production on or dispatched from those premises;

(c)he shall keep all documents, created or received by him, relating to the records kept under subparagraph (b), for at least one year from the date he created or received them;

(d)he shall designate an individual (whether himself or another) who is technically experienced in relation to the activities carried out on the premises and related plant health matters affecting the premises who shall be available to liaise with the Department in relation to matters arising under this Order;

(e)he shall examine his premises and relevant material at such times and in a manner specified in guidelines issued from time to time by the Department;

(f)he shall make a declaration at such time and in such form as the Department may from time to time require that he is able and willing to comply with the conditions specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e); and

(g)he shall comply with any other conditions which may be specified by the Department which it considers necessary to enable it to assess the presence of or spread of any plant pest on the premises by reason of the condition of those premises.

(2) The requirements of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any registered plant trader who is engaged solely in the production or importation of:

(a)tubers of Solanum tuberosum L. (excluding seed potatoes);

(b)fruit of Citrus L., Fortunella Swingle or Poncirus Raf. and their hybrids.

(3) Where the Department is satisfied that a registered plant trader has failed to comply with any of the conditions specified in paragraph (1) it may suspend his registration until it is satisfied that he is able and willing to comply with those conditions.

Authority to issue plant passports

29.—(1) Where a registered plant trader wishes to issue plant passports in relation to any relevant material to be moved from any premises he shall apply to the Department for the authority to do so.

(2) An application under paragraph (1) shall be in writing, shall give such notice as the Department may reasonably specify to allow it to undertake any necessary examination of the premises to which the application relates and of any relevant material there and shall contain such particulars in relation to the relevant material produced, grown, stored or otherwise present on those premises as the Department may from time to time reasonably require.

(3) The Department shall grant an authority under paragraph (1) only if, having regard to any examination of the premises to which the application relates and of any relevant material there, it is satisfied—

(a)that the premises and relevant material are free from any relevant organisms; and

(b)where any requirements are specified under this Order in relation to the relevant material, those requirements have been complied with.

(4) The Department’s authority to issue plant passports shall be given in writing and may be granted subject to such conditions as it considers appropriate to ensure that the relevant requirements of this Order are complied with, including a condition limiting any territories in which such plant passports shall be valid.

(5) The Department may suspend the operation of an authority to issue plant passports entirely or in relation to specified premises or relevant material if, having regard to any examination of any premises of the registered plant trader and any relevant material there, it is not satisfied that—

(a)the premises or the relevant material are free from any relevant organisms; or

(b)where any requirements are specified under this Order in relation to the relevant material, those requirements have been complied with.

(6) The Department may suspend the operation of or vary to the extent it considers necessary an authority to issue plant passports if it is satisfied that the registered plant trader has—

(a)failed to comply with any of the conditions specified in Article 28(1);

(b)failed to notify it in accordance with Article 27(3) of any change in the particulars listed in the register with respect to him;

(c)failed to comply with a requirement in a notice served on the trader under Article 32; or

(d)failed to comply with any conditions in the authority issued by it under paragraph (4).

(7) For the purposes of this Article “relevant organism” means—

(a)any plant pest specified in Schedule 1; or

(b)in relation to relevant material of a description specified in Schedule 2, any plant pest of a description specified in that Schedule opposite the reference to that relevant material.

PART 5SWISS TRADE AND SWISS PLANT PASSPORTS

Swiss trade and Swiss plant passports

30.—(1) Where relevant material listed in Part A of Schedule 8 has been consigned directly from Switzerland to Northern Ireland, any requirements in Article 7 for that relevant material to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate shall be deemed to be satisfied by its being accompanied by a Swiss plant passport.

(2) Any requirements in Article 7 for relevant material to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate shall not apply to relevant material that has been introduced into Northern Ireland from Switzerland where that material is listed in Part B but not in Part A of Schedule 8.

(3) The requirements in Articles 6 and 10 shall not apply to relevant material which is—

(a)accompanied by a Swiss plant passport pursuant to paragraph (1); or

(b)of a description referred to in paragraph (2).

(4) Where any relevant material listed in Part A of Schedule 8 is introduced into Northern Ireland from Switzerland via another part of the European Community any requirements in Part 3 for that relevant material to be accompanied by a plant passport shall be deemed to be satisfied by its being accompanied by a Swiss plant passport.

PART 6MEASURES TO CONTROL THE LANDING OF RELEVANT MATERIAL AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF PLANT PESTS

Examination, sampling and marking

31.—(1) An inspector shall have a right on producing his authority, if so requested, at all reasonable times to enter any premises for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Order and in particular—

(a)checking compliance with any provision of this Order; or

(b)carrying out an examination of a plant trader’s premises or of relevant material or documents or records on such premises for any purpose in connection with the granting or suspending of any authority to issue a plant passport under Article 29.

(2) An inspector entering premises by virtue of paragraph (1) may—

(a)examine, photograph or mark any part of the premises or any object on the premises;

(b)take samples of or from any plant pest or relevant material or from any container or package, or any material which has been or may have been in contact with such pest or relevant material; and

(c)inspect or make copies of any documents or records (in whatever form they may be held) relating to the production of or trade in any relevant material.

(3) An inspector may, for the purpose of exercising any of his powers under paragraph (2), open, or authorise any person to open on his behalf any container or package or require the owner or any person in charge of any container or package to open it, in such manner as the inspector may specify.

(4) An inspector may, so far as is necessary to enable him to exercise any of the powers conferred by paragraph (2), prohibit entirely or to such extent as he may specify the movement, treatment or destruction of any plant pest or relevant material, container or package, or any material which may have been in contact with such pest or relevant material.

(5) Where any such record or document as is mentioned in paragraph 2(c) is kept by means of a computer, an inspector may—

(a)have access to, and inspect and check the operation of, any computer and any associated apparatus or material which is or has been in use in connection with the record or document; and

(b)require any person having charge of, or otherwise concerned with the operation of, the computer, apparatus or material to afford him such assistance as he may reasonably require.

(6) An inspector may destroy or otherwise dispose of any sample taken under paragraph 2(b) where that sample is no longer required in connection with this Order.

(7) An inspector entering premises by virtue of paragraph (1) may be accompanied by such other persons, including representatives of the European Commission, and such equipment and vehicles as he considers necessary, and any such other persons may, whether or not accompanied by the inspector and on production, if so requested, of their authority given in that behalf by the Department, remain on and from time to time re-enter the premises with any equipment or vehicles that person considers necessary, and carry out such work in such manner as the inspector may direct.

Actions which may be required by an inspector

32.—(1) If an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any plant pest or relevant material is likely to be or has been landed in Northern Ireland in contravention of this Order he may serve a notice in writing in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2) An inspector may serve a notice under paragraph (1) on—

(a)a plant trader or other person who is in possession of or in any way entitled to the custody or control of the plant pest or relevant material which has been landed; or

(b)any person in charge of the premises from which any plant pest or relevant material is likely to be or has been landed.

(3) A notice under paragraph (1) may—

(a)prohibit the landing of any plant pest or relevant material;

(b)specify the manner in which the landing is to be carried out and the precautions which are to be taken during and subsequent to the landing;

(c)require any plant pest or relevant material to be treated, re-exported, destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner and within such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice;

(d)prohibit the removal of any plant pest or relevant material from premises specified in the notice for such period as may be so specified and, where appropriate, impose such other prohibitions as appear to the inspector to be necessary to prevent the introduction or spread of any plant pest;

(e)require the removal of any plant pest or relevant material from premises specified in the notice in such manner and within such reasonable time as may be so specified;

(f)require the taking of such other steps, specified in the notice, as appear to the inspector to be necessary to prevent the introduction or spread of any plant pest in such a manner and within such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice.

(4) If an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is present or likely to be present on any premises any plant pest referred to in paragraph (5) or any relevant material referred to in paragraph (6), he may by notice in writing served on the occupier or other person in charge of the premises or such plant pest or relevant material—

(a)require any plant pest or relevant material to be treated, destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner and within such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice;

(b)prohibit the removal of any plant pest or relevant material from premises specified in the notice for such period as may be so specified and, where appropriate, impose such other prohibitions as appear to the inspector to be necessary to prevent the spread of any plant pest;

(c)require the removal of any plant pest or relevant material to premises specified in the notice in such manner and within such reasonable time as may be so specified; or

(d)require the taking of such other steps, specified in the notice, as appear to the inspector to be necessary to prevent the spread of any plant pest in such manner and within such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice.

(5) The plant pests referred to in paragraph (4) are—

(a)a plant pest of a description specified in Schedule 1 or in column 3 of Schedule 2;

(b)any plant pest which is not normally present in Northern Ireland and in respect of which there is, in the opinion of the inspector, an imminent danger of its spreading or being spread in Northern Ireland; and

(c)any plant pest which is not normally present in another part of the European Community and in respect of which there is, in the opinion of the inspector, an imminent danger of its spreading or being spread to another part of the European Community.

(6) The relevant material referred to in paragraph (4) is—

(a)any relevant material which is carrying or is infected with, or which may be carrying or infected with, a plant pest referred to in paragraph (5); and

(b)any relevant material the landing of which in Northern Ireland is prohibited under Article 5 or 19 or the movement of which in Northern Ireland is prohibited under Article 20.

(7) If an inspector has reasonable grounds for believing that it is necessary for the purpose of preventing the spread of or ensuring the eradication of any plant pest from the premises mentioned in paragraph (4), he may by notice in writing served on the occupier or other person in charge of any other premises impose such prohibitions and require the taking of such reasonable steps, specified in the notice, as appear to him to be necessary for that purpose, such steps to be taken in such manner and in such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice.

Actions which may be taken by an inspector

33.—(1) Without prejudice to Article 32, if an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is present or likely to be present on any premises any plant pest referred to in paragraph (2) or any relevant material referred to in paragraph (3), he may, after giving the occupier or other person in charge of the premises reasonable notice of his intention and upon production if so required of his authority, enter such premises and either on those premises or elsewhere take steps—

(a)to destroy any plant pest referred to in paragraph (2) and to prevent the spread of any such plant pest; or

(b)to destroy or treat any relevant material referred to in paragraph (3).

(2) The plant pests referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a)a plant pest of a description specified in Schedule 1 or column 3 of Schedule 2; and

(b)any plant pest not normally present in Northern Ireland and in respect of which there is, in the opinion of the inspector, an imminent danger of its spreading or being spread in Northern Ireland.

(3) The relevant material referred to in paragraph (1) is—

(a)any relevant material which is carrying or is infected with, or which may be carrying or may be infected with, a plant pest referred to in paragraph (2); and

(b)any relevant material not carrying or infected with a plant pest referred to in paragraph (2), but in respect of which there is, in the opinion of the inspector, an imminent danger of such a plant pest spreading or being spread.

(4) An inspector on entering any premises under paragraph (1) may be accompanied by such persons, including representatives of the European Commission, and such equipment and vehicles as he considers necessary for the purposes of facilitating the exercise of his powers under that paragraph.

(5) Any person who accompanies an inspector on to premises in accordance with paragraph (4) may, whether or not accompanied by an inspector, upon production if so required of his authority given in that behalf by the Department, remain on the premises and from time to time re-enter the premises with any equipment or vehicles that person considers necessary, and carry out such work in such manner as the inspector may direct.

Miscellaneous provisions as to notices

34.—(1) A notice served under paragraph (1) or (2) of Article 32 may specify one or more requirements or alternative requirements.

(2) Any treatment, re-export, destruction or disposal required by a notice served under Article 32 shall be carried out or arranged to be carried out by the person on whom the notice is served to the satisfaction of an inspector from or at a place designated by an inspector and, except with the written authority of an inspector, no plant pest or relevant material to which the notice relates shall be moved otherwise than directly from or to such a place.

(3) An inspector may amend or withdraw a notice served by an inspector under this Order by a further notice served on the person on whom the original notice was served or on the person who is the occupier or in charge of the premises in respect of which the further notice is intended to be served.

(4) A notice under paragraph (3) may be subject to such conditions, if any, as the inspector considers expedient to impose for the purpose of preventing the introduction or spread of any plant pest or re-infection or re-infestation by the plant pest to which the original notice relates.

(5) Any notice served under this Part may define by reference to a map or plan or otherwise the extent of the premises referred to in the notice.

(6) Where a notice is served under paragraph (2) or (4) of Article 32 (“an Article 32 notice”), an inspector may, either in that notice or in a separate notice served on the owner or on such other person as appears to him to be in charge of the premises to which the Article 32 notice relates, require the person on whom the notice is served to inform—

(a)the Department of any change in the occupation of the premises to which the Article 32 notice relates together with the date of such change and the name of the new occupier; and

(b)the new occupier of the premises of the contents of the Article 32 notice.

Service of notices

35.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (4), a notice under this Order may be served on any person—

(a)by delivering it to him personally;

(b)by leaving it for him at his last known place of abode or business; or

(c)by sending it through the post addressed to him at his last known place of abode or business.

(2) Where a notice under this Order must be served on the occupier or other person in charge of premises, and the last known place of abode or business of that person cannot be ascertained after reasonable inquiry, the notice shall be taken to be served seven days after it has been addressed to “the occupier” and affixed conspicuously to an object on the premises to which the notice relates.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), a notice served under this Order may—

(a)in the case of a body corporate (other than a limited liability partnership), be served on the secretary or clerk of that body at the address of the registered or principal office of that body;

(b)in the case of a partnership including a Scottish partnership (other than a limited liability partnership), be served on a partner or person having the control or management of the partnership business at the address of the principal office of the partnership; or

(c)in the case of a limited liability partnership, be served on a member of the partnership at the address of the registered or principal office of that partnership,

and for the purposes of this paragraph the principal office of a company registered outside the United Kingdom or of a partnership carrying on business outside the United Kingdom shall be its principal office within the United Kingdom.

(4) In the case of a registered plant trader a notice under this Order shall be served on the trader either by delivering it to him personally, or by leaving it for him, or sending it through the post addressed to him, at the address of his premises listed in the register or, if more than one such address is registered, any address specified by the trader as his principal address.

Information as to compliance with notices

36. A person on whom a notice has been served, or is deemed to have been served, under this Order shall, if so required by an inspector, immediately inform the inspector whether the requirements of the notice have been complied with and, if they have been complied with, of the details of the steps taken in order to comply with those requirements.

Failure to comply with a notice

37.—(1) If any person fails to comply with a notice served, or deemed to be served, on him under this Order then, without prejudice to any proceedings consequent upon such failure, an inspector may, on production if so required of his authority, at all reasonable times for the purposes of this Order enter any premises in which any plant pest or relevant material to which the notice relates may be present and take or cause to be taken such steps as appear to him to be necessary either to ensure compliance with the requirements of the notice or to remedy the consequences of the failure to carry them out.

(2) An inspector entering any premises under paragraph (1) may take with him such other persons, including representatives of the European Commission, and such equipment and vehicles as he considers necessary for the purposes of facilitating the exercise of his powers under that paragraph, and such other persons whether or not accompanied by the inspector and on production, if so requested, of their authority given in that behalf by the Department, may remain on the premises and from time to time re-enter the premises with any equipment or vehicles that person considers necessary, and carry out such work and in such manner as the inspector may direct.

(3) Where an inspector takes any steps pursuant to paragraph (1), the Department may recover all reasonable costs of taking such steps as a debt from the person on whom the notice was served.

PART 7PLANTING OF, AND CONTROL OF PLANT PESTS ON, CERTAIN SOLANACEOUS SPECIES

Miscellaneous provisions for certain solanaceous species

38.—(1) A person shall not knowingly plant or knowingly cause or permit to be planted any potatoes or any potatoes which have been produced from those potatoes, which have been grown in any country outside the European Community other than Switzerland.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), a person shall not knowingly plant or knowingly cause or permit to be planted any potatoes unless—

(a)they derive in direct line from potato material which has been obtained under an officially approved programme in the European Community or Switzerland;

(b)they have been found to be free from Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al. in official tests using the methods set out in Annex II to Directive 98/57/EC; and

(c)they have been found to be free from Potato Ring Rot in official tests using the methods set out in Annex I to Directive 93/85/EC.

(3) A person shall not knowingly plant or knowingly cause or permit to be planted in Northern Ireland potatoes other than—

(a)potatoes which may be marketed in Northern Ireland under the Seed Potatoes Regulations; or

(b)one year’s direct progeny of the potatoes referred to in sub-paragraph (a), where that direct progeny has been grown by that person.

(4) Without prejudice to Article 28(1)(b), persons involved in the planting of potatoes in the protected region shall retain and make available to an inspector the following documentation—

(a)an official label together with an invoice or delivery note; or

(b)where potatoes marketed or marketable under the Seed Potatoes Regulations or their direct progeny were produced by a certificate holder, the certificate of classification.

(5) In this Article “certificate” and “official label” have the same meanings as in the Seed Potatoes Regulations.

(6) Without prejudice to any additional or stricter measures which an inspector considers necessary under Article 32 or 33, the special measures in respect of Potato Wart Disease, Potato Cyst Nematode, Potato Ring Rot and Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al. set out in Schedules 14, 15, 16 and Part A of 17, respectively, shall apply to control the spread of those plant pests.

(7) Without prejudice to any additional or stricter measures which an inspector considers necessary under Article 32 or 33 and the special measures in respect of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al. in Part A of Schedule 18, upon the confirmation of the presence of that pest in a sample taken pursuant to Articles 2 and 5 of Directive 98/57/EC, an inspector may demarcate a zone as described in Article 5(1)(a)(iv) or 5(1)(c)(iii) of that Directive in accordance with the requirements in Part B of Schedule 17, to prevent the spread of that plant pest.

PART 8LICENCES

Licences to carry out activities prohibited by this Order

39. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Order, any plant pest or relevant material may be landed, kept, stored, sold, planted, moved or otherwise disposed of in Northern Ireland and any other thing prohibited by this Order may be done under the authority of a licence, whether general or specific, granted by the Department in exercise of any derogation permitted by Directive 2000/29/EC.

Licences for trial or scientific purposes and for work on varietal selections

40.—(1) On receipt of an application for a licence containing the information set out in Article 1(2) of Directive 95/44/EC of 26th July 1995(25) and on being satisfied that the general conditions set out in Annex I to that Directive are fulfilled, the Department shall by licence authorise the landing, movement and keeping of any plant pest or relevant material for activities for trial or scientific purposes or for work on varietal selections where such landing, movement or keeping would otherwise be prohibited by this Order.

(2) A licence granted under paragraph (1) shall be subject to—

(a)the conditions laid down in Article 2(2) of Directive 95/44/EC to the extent that they are relevant to any plant pest or relevant material that is the subject of the activities to which the licence relates;

(b)such conditions specifying quarantine measures under paragraph 2(a) of Annex I to Directive 95/44/EC as the Department may determine; and

(c)such conditions specifying further quarantine measures under paragraph 2(b) of Annex I to Directive 95/44/EC as the Department may determine.

(3) Where it is established to it’s satisfaction that the licensee has not fulfilled any condition under sub-paragraph (b) or (c) of paragraph (2) imposed on a licence, the Department shall revoke the licence.

(4) At the conclusion of any activities to which a licence granted under paragraph (1) relates the licensee shall—

(a)subject to paragraph (5), destroy or sterilise any plant pest or relevant material that was the subject of the activities and any other relevant material which has come into contact with or which may have been contaminated by any such plant pest or relevant material; and

(b)sterilise, or clean in such other manner as may be specified by the Department, the premises and facilities at which the activities were undertaken.

(5) The Department may authorise the licensee to refrain from destroying any relevant material under paragraph (4)(a) if it is satisfied that it has been subjected to appropriate quarantine measures and that it has been found by testing in such manner as may be specified by the Department to be free from the plant pests listed in this Order and from other plant pests considered by it to pose a risk.

(6) For the purpose of paragraph (2), references to the responsible official body in Article 2(2) of, and Annex I to, Directive 95/44/EC shall be taken to refer to the Department.

(7) In this Article—

(a)“appropriate quarantine measures” means—

(i)in relation to relevant material for which quarantine measures are specified in Part A of Annex III to Directive 95/44/EC, those measures; and

(ii)in relation to other relevant material, such quarantine measures as may be specified by the Department; and

(b)“Directive 95/44/EC” means Commission Directive 95/44/EC(26) establishing the conditions under which certain harmful organisms, plants, plant products and other objects listed in Annexes I to V of Council Directive 77/93/EEC may be introduced into or moved within the Community or certain protected zones thereof, for trial or scientific purposes and for work on varietal selections.

PART 9NOTIFICATIONS, PROVISION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

Notification of the presence or suspected presence of certain plant pests

41.—(1) The occupier or other person in charge of premises who knows or suspects that any plant pest to which this Article applies is present on the premises, or any other person who, in the course of his duties or business, becomes aware or suspicious of the presence of such plant pest on any premises, shall immediately give notice, either orally or in writing, to the Department or an inspector of the presence or suspected presence of such plant pest. Notification under this paragraph which is given orally shall be confirmed in writing as soon as reasonably practicable.

(2) This Article applies to any plant pest which—

(a)is of a description specified in Part A of Schedule 1;

(b)subject to paragraph (3), is of a description specified in Part B of Schedule 1;

(c)subject to paragraphs (3), is of a description specified in Part A of Schedule 2;

(d)subject to paragraph (3), is of a description specified in column 3 of Part B of Schedule 2 and which is present on, or appears to an inspector to have been in contact with, relevant material specified in column 2 of that Schedule opposite the reference to that plant pest; or

(e)although not specified in Schedule 1 or 2, is not normally present in Northern Ireland and which is likely to be injurious to plants in Northern Ireland.

(3) Where any plant pest referred to in paragraph (2)(b), (c) or (d) is specified in Schedule 18, it shall be notifiable under paragraph (1) only where it is a subspecies or strain normally present in Northern Ireland and is found at the premises of a registered plant trader.

Notification of the likely entry into, or presence in, a free zone of plant pests or relevant material

42.—(1) The responsible authority for a free zone who knows or suspects that any of the things to which this Article applies is likely to enter, or is present in, such a free zone, shall immediately give notice, either orally or in writing, of that fact to the Department or an inspector. Notification under this paragraph which is given orally shall be confirmed in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(2) This Article applies to—

(a)any plant pest which is of a description specified in Schedule 1 or in column 3 of Schedule 2;

(b)any plant pest which, although not specified in Schedule 1 or 2, is not normally present in Northern Ireland and which is likely to be injurious to plants in Northern Ireland; and

(c)any relevant material of a description specified in column 2 of Schedule 3 which originates in a country specified in column 3 of that Schedule opposite the reference to that relevant material,

which has been, or is likely to be, landed in Northern Ireland, and has not been cleared out of charge under the Customs Act.

(3) In this article “the responsible authority” and “free zone” have the same meaning as in the Customs Act(27).

Information to be given

43.—(1) An inspector or any other officer of the Department may by notice in writing require any person referred to in paragraph (2) to give to the inspector or officer within such reasonable time as may be specified in that notice any information referred to in paragraph (3).

(2) A person to which paragraph (1) refers is any person who—

(a)is the owner or occupier or other person in charge of premises in respect of which a notice has been served under this Order;

(b)has or has had or is reasonably suspected by an inspector or other officer of the Department to have or have had in his possession or under his charge—

(i)any plant pest which is of a description specified in Schedule 1 or in column 3 of Schedule 2;

(ii)any plant pest which, although not specified in Schedule 1 or 2 is not normally present in Northern Ireland and which is likely to be injurious to plants and trees in Northern Ireland;

(iii)any relevant material carrying or infected with a plant pest mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii); or

(iv)any relevant material which an inspector or any other officer of the Department knows to have been landed or suspects has been landed in, or exported from, Northern Ireland; or

(c)as auctioneer, salesman or otherwise, has sold, offered for sale or otherwise disposed of any plant pest or relevant material mentioned in sub-paragraph (b).

(3) The information referred to in paragraph (1) is any information that a person referred to in paragraph (2) may possess—

(a)as to plants grown or products stored at any time on the premises referred to in paragraph (2)(a);

(b)as to any plant pest or relevant material referred to in paragraph (2)(b); and

(c)as to the persons who have had or are likely to have had any plant pest or relevant material referred to in paragraph (2)(b) in their possession or under their charge.

(4) A person who is required to give an inspector or other officer any information under paragraph (1) shall produce for examination by that inspector or other officer any licences, official statements, certificates, plant passports, records, invoices or other documents relating to any plant pest or relevant material to which that information relates.

PART 10OFFENCES

Offences

44.—(1) A person shall be guilty of an offence if without reasonable excuse, proof of which shall lie with him—

(a)subject to paragraph (2), he contravenes or fails to comply with—

(i)Article 6(1);

(ii)Article 9;

(iii)Article 10(1) or (4);

(iv)Article 16(2) or (3);

(v)Article 18;

(vi)Article 20(1);

(vii)Article 21

(viii)Article 24(3) or (4);

(ix)Article 26(1);

(x)Article 27(2) or (3);

(xi)Article 28(1);

(xii)Article 36;

(xiii)Article 38(1),(2) and (3);

(xiv)Article 40(4);

(xv)Article 41(1); and

(xvi)Article 42(1);

(b)he contravenes or fails to comply with a provision or condition of a notice served, or deemed to be served, on him or of a licence granted or of any direction given, under this Order; or

(c)he intentionally obstructs an inspector or any person authorised by an inspector in exercise of his powers given by or under this Order.

(2) Paragraph (1)(a) shall not apply where an article of any description is landed in Northern Ireland in contravention of a prohibition in this Order(28), other than the prohibition in Article 6(1).

(3) A person shall be guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of procuring the issue of a plant passport or a replacement plant passport, a phytosanitary certificate, a phytosanitary certificate for re-export or a licence under this Order, he—

(a)knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is false in a material particular, or

(b)intentionally fails to disclose any material information.

(4) A person shall be guilty of an offence if he—

(a)dishonestly issues a plant passport; or

(b)dishonestly alters a plant passport, or re-uses a plant passport.

(5) Where an offence under this Order is committed by a Scottish partnership and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or attributable to any neglect on the part of, a partner, he, as well as the partnership, shall be guilty of the offence and be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(6) Where the commission by any person of an offence under this Order is due to the act or default of some other person, that other person may be charged with and convicted of the offence by virtue of this paragraph whether or not proceedings for the offence are taken against the first-mentioned person.

Penalties

45. A person guilty of an offence under this Order shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

PART 11THE CUSTOMS ACT AND REVOCATION

The Customs Act

46. The provisions of this Order shall apply without prejudice to the Customs Act.

Revocation

47. The Orders and Regulations specified in Schedule 19 are revoked.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on 6th March 2006

L.S.

David Small

A senior officer of the

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

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The Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 2006

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PART 1GENERAL

Citation and Commencement

General interpretation

PART 2IMPORTS FROM THIRD COUNTRIES

Interpretation of Part 2

Application of Part 2

Prohibitions and restrictions on landing plant pests and relevant material

Advance notification of landing

Requirements for certificates

Exceptions from certain prohibitions and requirements

Presentation and display of documents

Prohibition on removal of relevant material from an area of plant health control

Exceptions from prohibition on removal of relevant material from an area of plant health control

Plant health discharge

Request to an officer for Revenue and Customs for material to be detained

Power of an officer for Revenue and Customs

General provisions relating to certificates

Requirements to be met by relevant material prior to inspection at its place or country of destination

Approved places of inspection

Requirement for plant health movement document

PART 3INTERNAL COMMUNITY CONTROLS ON MOVEMENT

Prohibitions on landing plant pests and relevant material

Prevention of the spread of plant pests

Requirements for plant passports

Exceptions from certain prohibitions and requirements

Validity of plant passports for Northern Ireland

General provisions relating to plant passports

PART 4REGISTRATION OF PLANT TRADERS AND AUTHORITY TO ISSUE PLANT PASSPORTS

Register of plant traders

Obligation to register

Registration requirements

Conditions for maintaining registration as a plant trader

Authority to issue plant passports

PART 5SWISS TRADE AND SWISS PLANT PASSPORTS

Swiss trade and Swiss plant passports

PART 6MEASURES TO CONTROL THE LANDING OF RELEVANT MATERIAL AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF PLANT PESTS

Examination, sampling and marking

Actions which may be required by an inspector

Actions which may be taken by an inspector

Miscellaneous provisions as to notices

Service of notices

Information as to compliance with notices

Failure to comply with a notice

PART 7PLANTING OF, AND CONTROL OF PLANT PESTS ON, CERTAIN SOLANACEOUS SPECIES

Miscellaneous provisions for certain solanaceous species

PART 8LICENCES

Licences to carry out activities prohibited by this Order

Licences for trial or scientific purposes and for work on varietal selections

PART 9NOTIFICATIONS, PROVISION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

Notification of the presence or suspected presence of certain plant pests

Notification of the likely entry into, or presence in, a free zone of plant pests or relevant material

Information to be given

PART 10OFFENCES

Offences

Penalties

PART 11THE CUSTOMS ACT AND REVOCATION

The Customs Act

Revocation

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