UK has imposed an import ban on Olea (olive), Polyfgala, Coffea and Prunis dolcis. And there will be additional additional phytosanitary requirements for Lavendula sp., Nerium Oleander and Rosmarinus. These requirements apply to all EU Member States and third countries.

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has published a notice regarding the new phytosanitary requirements for the export of specific plants to the UK. In short it comes down to this:

• Ban on imports of Coffea (coffee plants), Polygala myrtifolia, Olea europea (olive trees) and Prunus dulcis from all EU countries (and third countries), due to the risk of introduction of Xylella fastidiosa;
• Additional requirements for plants of Lavendula sp., Nerium oleander and Rosmarinus officinalis, also in connection with the risk of introduction of Xylella fastidiosa;
• New requirements for plants for planting Ulmus and Platanus;
• New requirements for wood, wood parts, bark and plants from Fraxinus L., Juglans ailantifolia Carr., Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Ulmus davidiana Planch. and Pterocarya rhoifolia.

Plant diseases

The UK is taking these measures to better protect itself against the introduction of the above mentioned plant diseases and pests. These temporary measures are within the framework of current EU legislation.

The European Commission is assessing the measures further. The requirements may eventually be incorporated into EU law. Or the UK should amend or withdraw them.