11 March 2021
The governments decision to push back on some of their checks for plants might not make too much difference to the price rises. We understand that there are many other factors why plant prices continue to creep up. However the decision to change their mind on phytosanitary certificates for EU import checks till January 2022 gives some idea that not everything is running as smooth as it should.
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has said ”The disruption caused by the pandemic had lasted longer and has been deeper than we anticipated”.
”The first phase of such changes came in on 1 January. The Government has put in place the staffing, infrastructure, and IT to deal with the situation. Thanks to the hard work of traders and hauliers, we have not seen anything like the generalised disruption at our ports which many predicted, and supply chains have shown themselves to be robust. However, the Government recognises the scale and significance of the challenges businesses have been facing in adjusting to the new requirements, at the same time as dealing with the impacts of COVID”
He then goes on to announce that ‘We are therefore announcing today a clear revised timetable for the introduction of controls, as follows:
- Physical SPS checks on high risk plants will take place at Border Control Posts, rather than at the place of destination as now, from 1 January 2022.
- Pre-notification requirements and documentary checks, including phytosanitary certificates will be required for low risk plants and plant products, and will be introduced from 1 January 2022.
- From March 2022, checks at Border Control Posts will take place on live animals and low risk plants and plant products.
Michael Gove also said
”Controls and checks on Sanitary and Phytosanitary goods are of course a devolved matter and we continue to work closely with the Devolved Administrations on their implementation, in particular with the Welsh Government on their timetable for completing supporting Border Control Post infrastructure in Wales”
to read the full staement click the link below
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2021-03-11/hcws841
Image by Madison Buening from Pixabay
