The UK disagrees with the European decision to withdraw its additional import requirements for high risk Xylella host plants.
According to Defra, Xylella is still posing a big biosecurity threat. Therefore, the reason for introducing stronger requirements has not changed. The UK not only disagrees with the European decision, but the UK is also disappointed ’that the opportunity has not been taken to extend the UK measures across the EU, providing enhanced protections for the EU’s member states.’
Defra continues to carry out intensive inspections of imported plants, for sure the most important Xylella host plants. The department also continues to encourage stakeholders and the UK industry to employ risk management practices. Defra will also ’keep the need for any further actions’, but it’s not clear what kind of actions. Until the end of 2019, the UK has to comply with the EU Plant Health Regulation (read our previous article what’s behind all this).
Photo by Arno Engels
