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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-health-news/plant-health-and-forest-reproductive-material-news-issue-46-february-2022
Following a Pest Risk Analysis and a consultation, GB-wide measures for Scolytus morawitzi and Polygraphus Proximus have been introduced. Existing requirements for other pests, such as the Oak Processionary Moth have also been adjusted.
There are specific import requirements already in place for high-risk wood, wood product and bark (recognised hosts of these pests), therefore, the changes are unlikely to have an impact on trade.
The legislative changes that introduce new pest measures, or that facilitate trade, will come into force on the 2nd of March 2022. The remaining changes will come into force on 8th August 2022. Please refer to the Q&A document embedded within the Defra PH portal for more information.
The updated measures are summarised as follows:
strengthens protections against Thaumetopoea processionea (oak processionary moth) risks through trade and movement
Corrections have also been made to the to the import conditions relating to Quercus (oak) casks from US and Canada. As explained in Newsletter 44, these can continue to be exempt from Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) requirements when heat-treated as part of the manufacturing process.
Important news for some exports of wood to the EU and to Northern Ireland that will apply from April 11 2022.
To protect the EU against the highly damaging ambrosia beetle species Euwallacea and its associated fungi. The EU has adopted new entry requirements for wood from many tree species which can host the beetle in the countries where it occurs. As the beetle is not present in the UK all exports of certain types of wood will need to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating that the wood originates in Great Britain as a country recognised as being free from Euwallacea.
The wood species that are found in the UK and are controlled for Euwallacea include:
For the full list of regulated species visit the EU legislation.
Following Brexit, the legal status of P. ramorum isolates within Great Britain changed from being EU isolates to being regarded as non-EU isolates, despite being from similar introductions. Further measures will apply to wood of oak to prevent the entry of non-EU isolates of Phytophthora ramorum into the EU.
The same measures also apply to wood of Acer macrophyllum, Aesculus californica, Lithocarpus densiflorus and Taxus brevifolia, but the impact on trade of these species will be small as they are not native to the UK. Most categories of oak wood exported to the EU will be affected by the new measures. The wood itself must be accompanied by a Forestry Commission issued phytosanitary certificate stating that it meets certain requirements.
The new measures above will apply to exports to the EU and to Northern Ireland where the wood and wood products under the general (CN) code headings 4401, 4403, 4404, 4406, 4407, 4408, 4409, 4416 and 9406. Detailed information is available via the EU Legislation.
The European Union has also reviewed its entry requirements for isolated bark of oak and a new prohibition will apply to this material from April 11th, 2022. The justification for the prohibition is given is given as the pest risk assessment and the pest risk management document published in 2011 and 2013 respectively. The prohibition applies to bark exported under the CN codes for vegetable products of bark (1404 90 00) and wood waste and scrap (4401 40 90).
To meet the demands of exporters of timber and wood products, shorten the turnaround time to produce export phytosanitary certificates, and improve the service for all users, the Forestry Commission has been developing a replacement online EAPC service. This is due to come online at the end of March 2022.
Users of the new service will be able to:
Further details of the forthcoming service changes will be posted on the wood exports guidance page on GOV.UK
If you are exporting timber, wood products and bark and your company is not already registered as a professional operator with the Forestry Commission, visit Export wood, wood products and bark from Great Britain where you will find a link to the registration form. Registration is free and the form will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Plant Health Forestry Commission Plant Health Forestry Silvan House 231 Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 7AT
Telephone: 0300 067 5155 email: plant.health@forestrycommission.gov.uk Web: Importing and exporting wood and timber products This Newsletter and previous editions are available at: Plant health news
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