FAQs
Q: What is a Phytosanitary Certificate?
A: A Phytosanitary Certificate is a legal document issued by the NPPO (National Plant Protection
Organisation) of the country of export for goods and commercial consignemts of plant origin
certifying that they are free from certain / specified harmful and quarantine pests and diseases.
Q: What is a Plant Passport?
A: A Plant Passport is an official label issued by producer and authorised by the competent authority,
with gives evidence that the provisions of the EU Directives relating to plant health standards and
special requirements are satisfied and which are:
• Standardised at Community level for different types of plants or plant products, and
• Issued in accordance with the implementing rules governing the details of the procedure for
issuing plant passports.
Q: What is Debarked Wood?
A: Debarked wood is Wood that has been subjected to any process that results in the removal of
bark. (Debarked wood is not necessarily bark-free wood.) [CPM, 2008; replacing “debarking”]
Q: What is Bark Free Wood?
A: Bark-free wood is Wood from which all bark, except ingrown bark around knots and bark pockets
between rings of annual growth, has been removed [ISPM 15, 2002; revised CPM, 2008]
INFORMATION NOTE – PLANT HEALTH REGISTRATION
Movement of Forestry Plants, Wood & Wood Products to/from the UK
As of the date the United Kingdom exits the European Union and becomes a non-EU Member State (a “Third Country”) the introduction of forestry plants, wood and wood products from the UK into the EU will be regulated under EU plant health legislation in the same manner as for other Third Countries. Council Directive 2000/29/EC is the basis of the current EU plant health regime. From the 14th of December 2019, Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests (“Plant Health Law”) will replace Council Directive 2000/29/EC.
The export of forestry plants, wood and wood products from the EU into the UK will then be regulated by UK phytosanitary legislation.
In the event of a No-Deal Brexit, this comes into effect on 31st of January 2020.
Regulated Commodities
Regulated forestry plants, wood and wood products are subject to inspection and certification in order to prevent the introduction of harmful organisms.
In the case of imports from the UK, coniferous forestry plants, sawnwood and roundwood with bark are regulated commodities. Certain hardwood species are also regulated: Castanea, Platanus and Fraxinus. Other species imported from but not originating in the UK may also be regulated. For a full description of the wood/wood products and species concerned, please refer to the relevant EU Plant Health legislation (Council Directive 2000/29/EC or, from December 14th 2019, Regulation (EU) 2016/2031).
If an importer is unsure whether the commodity they wish to import into Ireland from the UK is regulated, or for information on the entry requirements, queries may be submitted to forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie.
See INFORMATION NOTE – IMPORTS FROM THE UK
Regulated export commodities and requirements are defined by the country of import (UK authorities in this case) and exporters are advised to clarify UK import requirements by commodity with the UK authorities directly or through their UK customer. Further information on UK requirements is available at
See INFORMATION NOTE – EXPORTS TO THE UK
Registration
Importers and exporters of regulated commodities should register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Applicants are required to complete the following form as part of the registration process:
Plant Health Registration Application Form. Forestry Plants, Wood and Wood Products.
This form must be completed and returned by post to the following address:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forest Health Section
3 West Agriculture House
Kildare Street
DUBLIN 2
DO2 WK12
and via email to: forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie
On completion of the registration process, an importer will be notified of their unique Plant-Health Registration Number (F No.) by DAFM. This unique Plant Health Number will be required to be referenced by an importer/exporter in all applications for importation/exportation of forestry plants, wood and wood products.
Depending on the nature of the registration, the applicant may be required to register on DAFM’s CCS and SSO systems. Details will be provided following receipt of the Plant Health Registration Application.
INFORMATION NOTE – IMPORTS FROM THE UK
IMPORTATION OF FORESTRY PLANTS, WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS INTO IRELAND
FROM THE UK IN THE CASE OF A NO-DEAL BREXIT.
Context – Plant Health Legislation
The importation into and the movement within the EU of inter alia certain wood and wood products from non-EU (“Third Countries”) are currently regulated under Council Directive 2000/29/EC, commonly called the Plant Health Directive, which sets-out phytosanitary (“plant health”) legislation and requirements in order to prevent the introduction and spread of organisms harmful to plant and forest health. Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests (“Plant Health Law”), will replace Council Directive 2000/29/EC and will come into force from the 14th of December 2019.
Context – Brexit
The UK has voted to leave the EU and it will become a Third Country (non-EU Member State) from the date of withdrawal. As of the date the United Kingdom exits the European Union the introduction of forestry plants, wood and wood products from the UK into the EU will be regulated by the above legislation in the same manner as for other Third Countries.
If you are an importer of forestry plants, wood or wood products from the UK which are regulated under the EU plant health regime, you are required to complete and observe a number of new DAFM phytosanitary (plant health) requirements which were not required when the UK was an EU member state. (Importers are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with relevant Revenue requirements).
In the event of a No-Deal Brexit, this comes into effect on 31st of January 2020.
What you should do now
- Establish whether the commodity you are importing from the UK into Ireland is a regulated commodity
Generally, the phytosanitary entry requirements that apply to forestry plants, wood and wood products depend on the species, the country of origin and the form/nature of the commodity. For example in the case of imports from the UK, coniferous sawnwood and roundwood with bark are regulated commodities. If an importer is unsure whether the commodity they wish to import into Ireland is regulated, or for information on the entry requirements of regulated wood, queries can be submitted to forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie.
- Register with DAFM for Plant Health
Prior to importing regulated wood and wood products into Ireland, importers are required to register with the Department. To receive a timber importers/exporters registration form, contact:
forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forest Health Section
3 West Agriculture House
Kildare Street
DUBLIN 2
DO2 WK12
See “Plant Health Registration” link and Application Form.
What you need to do prior to import of regulated commodities
- Obtain Official Certification of the regulated commodity in the UK prior to export.
If the commodity is a regulated commodity under EU plant health legislation, the consignment will need to be officially certified by the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the UK which will involve an inspection and the provision of a Phytosanitary Certificate by UK Authorities to the importer.
- Provide advance notification of import to DAFM
Advance notification to DAFM is required for regulated wood imports. A minimum of 24 hours notice is required but in the case of some products, depending on the means and duration of transport (shipping), this notice period may be 72 hours.
The importer / shipping agent then submits to the Forest Health section, via the email address ukforestryimports@agriculture.gov.ie the following documents associated with the consignment:
-
- The red routed SAD
- The packing list and Bill of Lading
- The phytosanitary certificate, and/or other plant health documentation required for the regulated commodity as set out under the relevant EU plant health legislation.
Landing, Inspection and clearance of the consignment.
- Ports of Import
Regulated commodities from Third Countries can only be imported through approved Border Inspection Points (BIPs) or Designated Points of Entry (DPEs).
- DAFM Inspection & release of the commodity.
DAFM Phytosanitary inspection involves three aspects – a documentary, identity and plant health check of the imported commodity. The identity and plant health checks require the physical inspection of the commodity. If all is found to be compliant, the Inspector confirms to Customs that the phytosanitary inspection has been satisfactory and Customs may green route the consignment for onward movement.
Note: The consignment remains under Customs control for the duration of the inspection.
Fees
Council Directive 2000/29/EC, Annex VIIIa sets out the schedule of fees for documentary, identity and plant health checks until December the 14th 2019. After this date, the schedule of fees will be as per Annex IV, Chapter 1, Part VIII of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (the new Official Controls Regulation).
Queries
Queries in relation to this or any other aspect of the importation of wood and timber can be sent to:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forest Health Section
3 West Agriculture House
Kildare Street
DUBLIN 2
DO2 WK12
forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie
INFORMATION NOTE – EXPORTS TO THE UK
EXPORT OF FORESTRY PLANTS, WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS FROM IRELAND INTO THE UK
IN THE CASE OF A NO-DEAL BREXIT.
Context – Plant Health Legislation
Exports of commodities from Ireland into other parts of the EU – including into the UK are currently regulated under Council Directive 2000/29/EC, commonly called the Plant Health Directive. This describes phytosanitary (“plant health”) legislation and requirements for the movement of regulated commodities, in order to prevent the introduction and spread of organisms harmful to plant and forest health. Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests (“Plant Health Law”), will replace Council Directive 2000/29/EC and will come into force from the 14th of December 2019.
Context – Brexit
The UK has voted to leave the EU and it will become a Third Country (non-EU Member State) from the date of withdrawal. As of the date the United Kingdom exits the European Union the regulation of export of forestry plants, wood and wood products from Ireland to the UK under the above EU legislation will no longer apply and will then be regulated by UK phytosanitary legislation.
If you are an exporter of wood or wood products from Ireland to the UK you should familiarize yourself with post-Brexit UK phytosanitary (plant health) import requirements which will come into force on the date of withdrawal (see link below).
In the event of a No-Deal Brexit, this comes into effect on 31st of January.
What you should do now
A. Establish whether the commodity you are exporting to the UK is a regulated commodity
Generally, the phytosanitary entry requirements that apply to certain forestry plants, wood and wood products depend on the species, the country of origin and the form/nature of the wood or commodity.
Regulated export commodities and requirements are defined by the country of import (UK authorities in this case) and exporters are advised to clarify UK import requirements by commodity with the UK authorities directly or through their UK customer. Further information on UK requirements is available at
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-and-exporting-plants-and-plant-products-if-theres-no-withdrawal-deal
A. Register with DAFM for Plant Health
Prior to exporting regulated wood and wood products from Ireland, exporters are required to register with the Department. To receive a timber importers/exporters registration form, contact:
forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forest Health Section
3 West Agriculture House
Kildare Street
DUBLIN 2
DO2 WK12
See “Plant Health Registration” link and Application Form.
What you need to do prior to export of regulated commodities to the UK
Obtain Official Certification of the regulated commodity in Ireland from DAFM prior to export to the UK
If the commodity for export is a regulated commodity under post-Brexit UK phytosanitary (plant health) import requirements the consignment will need to be officially certified by the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) which is DAFM in Ireland and which will involve an inspection and the provision of a Phytosanitary Certificate for UK Authorities.
A. Provide the following to DAFM.
i. Exporters should establish the import requirements for the commodity they wish to move into the UK. (This is the exporter’s responsibility).
ii. Exporters should provide a statement from the UK authorities as to whether a phytosanitary certificate is required to accompany these consignments, and if so indicate any additional declaration that needs to be included on the phytosanitary certificate (see B(iii)below).
B. Apply for a Phytosanitary Certificate
If the commodity is regulated and a Phytosanitary Certificate is required the exporter should apply to DAFM for a Phytosanitary Certificate. A phytosanitary certificate application form may be requested from forestprotection.gov.ie
i. The importer is required to complete and submit a phytosanitary certificate application form for each consignment.
ii. The application form should be submitted at least two weeks prior to a date / time suitable for inspection, and detail the location and time an inspection can be facilitated.
iii. The application should include any additional declaration as required by the NPPO of the importing country in the appropriate field on the application (see A.ii above).
iv. A forestry inspector will inspect the consignment at an arranged time and place for conformity to the details submitted on the application form.
v. If the inspection is passed, the phytosanitary certificate will be issued.
The country of import may require advance notification from the importer of the intention to import which may include provision of the Phytosanitary Certificate. Current indications are that three days notice of intention to import is required by UK authorities. UK Customs procedures may also apply.
Fees
Council Directive 2000/29/EC, Annex VIIIa sets out the schedule of fees for documentary, identity and plant health checks until December the 14th 2019. After this date, the schedule of fees will be as per Annex IV, Chapter 1, Part VIII of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (the new Official Controls Regulation).
Queries
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forest Health Section
3 West Agriculture House
Kildare Street
DUBLIN 2
DO2 WK12
forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie
