New FC requirements for export/import of timber

[Alycidon]

This arrived from the FC yesterday informing me of new regs relating to the import or export of wood, wood products or bark.   Having spoken to them they say that kiln dried logs are probably not affected but I do have to register,

 

Smarter Rules for Safer Food (SRSF) Forestry Stakeholder Email

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Plant Health <[email protected]>	Fri, Dec 13, 3:13 PM (19 hours ago)
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Dear Stakeholder,

 

We are contacting you as we understand your business trades in wood, wood products or bark. From the 14 December 2019, a new set of European regulations, collectively known as ‘Smarter Rules for Safer Foods’ (SRSF), and including the Plant Heath Regulation (PHR) and the Official Controls Regulation (OCR), will be introduced. Collectively these will replace 70 existing European directives and regulations to modernise and improve plant health, animal health and food safety standards across the agri-food chain.

 

SRSF will apply to all UK businesses involved in the production, manufacture and supply of certain types of wood, wood products and bark (including the manufacture and repair of wood packaging to international standard ISPM15).

 

This email outlines the actions you need to take to continue to trade from tomorrow (14 December).

 

What will be changing from 14 December 2019

Plant Passports:

·         The content and format of an EU plant passport, how it accompanies the consignment, and the variety of businesses that need to be registered and authorised to issue plant passports will change. More information and guidance is available here.

·         Certain types of wood, wood products and bark will require a plant passport for movement within the UK and the EU, a list can be found here under ‘Lists of pests, commodities and plant health requirements’ in Annex XIII and XIV.

·         The new PHR sets out a list of pests and their hosts, known as Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests (RNQPs), which will be regulated. Wood, wood products and bark that may be hosts of RNQPs will require a plant passport and will have measures, which may include inspections, sampling and/or testing, concerning the presence of RNQPs. More information and guidance can be found here under ‘Lists of pests, commodities and plant health requirements’ in Annex IV and V.

 

Imports from third countries (outside the EU):

·         Certain wood, wood products and bark will continue to require a phytosanitary certificate for import from third countries.

·         A new category of ‘high risk’ plants will be introduced. The import of any ‘high risk’ wood, wood products and bark will be prohibited from entering the EU from all third countries until a full risk assessment is conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). More information and guidance here under ‘High risk plants’.

 

What do businesses need to do now?

What if my business moves wood, wood products and bark in the EU and the UK?

1.    Check if you will require a plant passport under PHR using the links in the previous section.

2.    Check that you are using the correct format for your plant passport, found here. There are three formats: one as standard, one for Protected Zones (if you trade in wood, wood products and bark for which the UK has Protected Zone status).

3.    Ensure you are registered as a Professional Operator (PO) with the Forestry Commission and that you have applied for authorisation to issue plant passports.

To apply for authorisation to issue plant passports for wood, wood products and bark, you must first register with the Forestry Commission. Further information can be found on our website.

A confirmation of registration and a letter of authority to issue plant passports will be emailed back to you between 5 - 14 working days of receipt of your application depending on your requirements (see below). Therefore, new businesses should allow at least 2 weeks to become registered.

If you are a) importing wood, wood products or bark, b) requesting export phytosanitary certificates or c) are planning to apply the ISPM 15 mark via the UKWPMMP and are NOT currently registered, you will need to be registered as a PO and be authorised by the Forestry Commission.

If you are currently registered and approved to apply ISPM15 marks via the UKWPMMP to wood packaging material then the FC will automatically register you as a PO and will advise you of your Professional Operator registration number.

4.    Check if you trade in products that have ‘Protected Zone’ status. A current list of ‘PZ’ products and the new PZ codes can be found here on GOV.UK.

5.    If you trade in a forestry product, visit this GOV.UK webpage to find out more about plant passporting for timber, wood, wood products, Christmas trees and Christmas tree foliage for decorative purposes.

6.    Take note of what trade units you receive and supply to find out how to ensure that each lorry load is accompanied by a plant passport incorporated into a delivery note.

7.    Ensure you can meet requirements around traceability and record keeping. Please check the SRSF GOV.UK page where further information and guidance will be made available shortly.

8.    Read guidance on what checks you may need regarding pests and diseases that wood, wood products or bark may be hosts to in order to issue a plant passport. Guidance may be found here under ‘Lists of pests, commodities and plant health requirements’ in Annexes V and VIII. There may be further requirements for plants and plant products for which the UK has Protected Zone status for, and these may be found in Annex X.

9.    Check if you are currently exempted under the new regulations, and if that will remain the case. For example, trade who supply small quantities of relevant material exclusively to final users through means other than distance contracts are currently exempted.

What if my business imports wood, wood products and bark products from countries outside the EU?

1.    Ensure that your supplier is aware of the new requirements for phytosanitary certificates.

2.    Check that the products you import from third countries are not prohibited under the new high-risk plants list. More information and guidance found here under ‘High risk plants’.

3.    If goods that you import are now prohibited, encourage your supplier to contact their National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) to request they submit an application for exemption from the high-risk prohibition by providing specific information in a technical dossier to the European Commission. The European Food Safety Authority have specified the information and format required to submit an application.

 

What if my business exports wood, wood products and bark products to countries outside the EU?

1.    They are required to register as Professional Operators – see ‘What do Businesses need to do now?’ detailed in point 3, final paragraph above.

 

2.    Exporters are always advised to check with the relevant plant health authority in the importing country to find out exactly what controls will apply when exporting plants and plant products.

 

What IT systems does my business need to use?

The UK will continue to use existing notification of landing systems and registration processes from 14 December.

Where can I find more information?

·         For more information on Plant Health Regulations, visit the SRSF GOV.UK page

·         For more information on Plant Health Regulations and resources such as information on pests and diseases, visit the Plant Health Portal

 

Forestry Commission Plant Health Forestry

[email protected]