Defra has extended the temporary import controls on seeds of seeds of Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum spp. In order to control the spread of tomato brown rugose fruit virus. The move was confirmed in a letter issued last December.
In the letter, UK Chief Plant Health Officer Nicola Spence said, ‘The temporary solution detailed in my letter of 4 February 2021 is extended until 31 December 2022, and an alternative additional declaration may be used by NPPOs of third countries. In addition to referencing the requirements in The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 Annex 7 Part B point 6, the following can be specified on the additional declaration as an alternative to requirements of Annex 7 Part B point 6 b (i):
“The seeds were harvested prior to 15 August 2020 and mother plants are no longer available for inspection.”
‘Reference to article Annex 7 Part B point 6 b (ii) should also be included: “that the seeds or their mother plants have undergone official sampling and testing for tomato brown rugose fruit virus and have been found, according to those tests, to be free from that pest.”
‘This would mean that all seed which were produced prior to 15th August 2020 will need to be tested in line with the sampling and testing requirements set out in the Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 Annex 7 Part B point 6.’
In addition, new plant health controls on products imported from the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have come into effect from 1 January 2022. From this date, all plants and plant products categorised as either regulated or regulated and notifiable will require phytosanitary certificates. Details of these and other changes to import procedures are available at gov.uk/transition.