The United Kingdom had to withdraw its additional import requirements for high risk Xylella host plants, but Dutch authorities are expecting those requirements will return in 2021.
Until the end of 2019, the UK has to comply with the EU Plant Health Regulation and the requirements for Xylella host plants. On 31 December 2020 the Brexit transition period will end. After that, the UK can set up its own requirements for importing plants. The UK disagrees already with the EU decision to withdraw the extra import requirements.
According to Naktuinbouw, the Dutch agency that carries out nursery and import and export inspections, in 2021 there will be probably no plant passport needed, but an export certificate. So far, it is not clear if the UK will ease its requirements for countries that are declared free from Xylella fastidiosa.
The extra UK requirements were meant for: Lavandula (all species), Nerium oleander, Rosmarinus officinalis, Prunus dulcis and Olea europaea. The UK banned the import of Coffea and Polygala myrtifolia, two host plants with the highest risk of introducing and spreading Xylella fastidiosa. Dutch authority NVWA is expecting this import ban in 2021.
Photo by Arno Engels
