Beginning December 14, 2019, the European Union (EU) will impost the following changes to their import requirements. All raw and minimally processed plant materials exported to EU member states will require phytosanitary certificates. While some plant products already require phytosanitary certification, many others have not had any requirements to enter the EU market.
New European Union plant health rules
The new EU regulations are meant to prevent the introduction of plant insects and disease pests. The regulations reflect a change that was made in 2016, however, implementation was delayed until this year.
A phytosanitary certificate is required if you are shipping any of the following commodities*:
- Fruit or vegetables (other than preserved by deep freezing)
- Cut flowers
- Cut trees or branches retaining foliage
- Unprocessed or minimally processed plant products, including wood.
- Grain or grain products
- Hop pellets, cones, or bales
- Seeds
*unless specifically indicated otherwise in a commodity summary
This requirement applies to every shipment going to the EU regardless of where or not it was previously considered ‘unrestricted’. The EU will reject all shipments sent without the necessary certification without recourse.
European Union member states
Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Montenegro*; Netherlands; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland*, and the United Kingdom
* Although not European Union member countries, Montenegro and Switzerland follow the European Union requirements.
Prohibited plant groups
Thirty-five (35) high-risk plant groups will be completely prohibited from entering the EU until the US Department of Agriculture establishes additional certification standards for these products. Pest risk analysis are currently in progress.
The groups are:
Acacia, Acer, Albizia, Alnus, Annona, Bauhinia, Berberis, Betula, Caesalpinia, Cassia, Castanea, Cornus, Corylus, Crataegus, Diospyros, Fagus, Ficus carica, Fraxinus, Hamamelis, Jasminum, Juglans, Ligustrum, Lonicera, Malus, Nerium, Persea, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, Robinia, Salix, Sorbus, Taxus, Tilia, and Ulnus