The EU has finally decided to ban the import of most high-risk ornamental plants from countries outside the EU. It will be effective from December 2019.
There may be an exception for specific plants. Therefore authorities from third countries (outside the EU) have to submit information (derogation request) before 14 December 2019. Click here for the required information as stated by the European Food Safety Authority.
Import plants from these genera in the EU will be forbidden: Acacia, Acer, Albizia, Alnus, Annona, Bauhinia, Berberis, Betula, Caesalpina, Cassia, Castanea, Cornus, Corylus, Crataegus, Diospyros, Fagus, Fraxinus, Hamamelis, Jasminum, Juglans, Ligustrum, Lonicera, Malus, Nerium, Persea, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, Robinia, Salix, Sorbus, Taxus, Tilia and Ulmus.
Seeds, bonsais, plants from tissue culture, fruit and leaves are excepted from the import ban.
Import of this will also be forbidden: Ullucus tuberosus (ornamental vegetable), Momordica (subtropical climber) and Ulmus wood.
The import ban is part of the new EU Plant Health Regulation that will be also effective by December 2019.
Photo by Arno Engels
