Plant Health Guide: guidance for importers
The guide summarises the plant health controls which apply to the import into Scotland of plants, seeds, plant products, plant pests, soil and growing medium from countries outside the European Union.
APPENDIX A - SUMMARY OF IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANTS, PLANT PRODUCE AND PRODUCTS
This Appendix is divided into six sections showing requirements for:
I Plants
II Fruit
III Seeds for planting
IV Cut flowers, foliage and vegetables
V Potatoes
VI Other (Grain, soil, and growing medium)
Section I: Plants
All plants (including bulbs, tubers, rhizomes and fungi) which are permitted to enter the European Union must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate at the time of import.
Permitted trees, shrubs and annual and biennial plants originating in non- EU countries, other than countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area, must be free from plant debris, flowers and fruit. In addition, permitted deciduous trees and shrubs originating outside the Euro-Mediterranean area must also be dormant and free from leaves.
Requirements for imports of bonsai-type plants from non- EU countries are particularly complex and are explained in a separate leaflet Explanatory Leaflet on Importing Naturally or Artificially Dwarfed ('Bonsai') Plants into Great Britain ( PHI 9). For a copy of the leaflet contact the Plant Health Admin Support Team (See Appendix B ) or see: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/phealth/phi-9pdf
For the purposes of plant health controls, Switzerland is regarded as an- EU country unless shown otherwise below.
NB : See also Section VI for the requirements in respect of soil and growing medium attached to or associated with plants.
| Botanical name |
Common name |
Origin |
Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gramineae |
Grasses and cereals |
Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited 1 |
| Palmae (other than Phoenix) |
Palm |
All non- EU countries (other than Switzerland) |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Palmae (other than Phoenix) originating in Algeria or Morocco |
Palm |
Switzerland |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Solanaceae (note tighter restrictions on Solanum: see below) |
Aubergine, tomato, sweet pepper, petunia etc |
Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Abies |
Fir |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Castanea (with leaves) |
Sweet chestnut |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Cedrus |
Cedar |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Chaenomeles 2 |
Japonica |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Chamaecyparis |
False cypress |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Citrus and hybrids |
Orange, lemon, lime etc |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Prohibited |
| Clausena |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Phytosanitary certificate |
|
| Crataegus 2 |
Hawthorn |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Cydonia and hybrids 2 |
Quince |
Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the continental states of the USA Other non- EC countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Fragaria |
Strawberry |
Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the continental states of the USA Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Fortunella and hybrids |
Kumquat |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Prohibited |
| Juniperus |
Juniper |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Larix |
Larch |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Malus and hybrids 2 |
Apple |
Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the continental states of the USA Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Murraya |
Curry tree, Curry leaf tree |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Phoenix |
Date palm |
Algeria and Morocco Other non- EU countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Photinia 3 |
Photinia |
USA, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Democratic People's Republic of Korea Other non- EU countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Picea |
Spruce |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Pinus |
Pine |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Populus (with leaves) |
Poplar, aspen |
North American countries Other non- EU countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Poncirus and hybrids |
Ornamental citrus |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Prohibited |
| Prunus and hybrids 2 |
Cherry, plum, peach, flowering almond etc. |
Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the continental states of the USA Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Pseudotsuga |
Douglas fir |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Pyrus and hybrids 2 |
Pear |
Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the continental states of the USA Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Quercus (with leaves) |
Oak |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Rosa 2 |
Rose |
All non- EC countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Plants of Solanaceae intended for planting, other than plants of Solanum species. |
Countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area Other non- EC countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
|
| Stolon- or tuber- forming Solanum species and their hybrids other than Solanum tuberosum (see also Section V) |
Various |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| Tsuga |
Hemlock |
Non- EU European countries Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Vitis |
Grape vine |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| All other plants, for planting |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
In addition to the general requirement for a phytosanitary certificate specific conditions apply under the Plant Health ( Phytophthora ramorum) (Scotland) Order 2004 (as amended) to the import from the USA of the following plants susceptible to Phytophthora ramorum . Contact HMU at the address at Appendix B for more information.
| Botanical name |
Common name |
|---|---|
| Acer macrophyllum |
Big leaf maple, Oregon maple |
| Acer pseudoplatanus |
Sycamore maple |
| Adiantum aleuticum |
Western maidenhair fern |
| Adiantum jordanii |
California maidenhair fern |
| Aesculus californica |
California buckeye |
| Aesculus hippocastanum |
Horse chestnut |
| Arbutus menziesii |
Madrone |
| Arbutus unedo |
Strawberry tree |
| Arctostaphylos spp. |
Bearberry, Manzanita |
| Calluna vulgaris |
Heather |
| Camellia spp . |
Camellia |
| Castanea sativa |
Sweet chestnut |
| Fagus sylvatica |
European beech |
| Frangula californica |
California buckthorn |
| Frangula purshiana |
Cascara buckthorn, Cascara, bearberry |
| Fraxinus excelsior |
Common ash |
| Griselinia littoralis |
Griselinia |
| Hamamelis virginiana |
Witch hazel |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia |
Toyon |
| Kalmia latifolia |
Mountain laurel |
| Laurus nobilis |
Bay laurel |
| Leucothoe spp |
Highland doghobble |
| Lithocarpus densiflorus |
Tanbark oak |
| Lonicera hispidula |
Honeysuckle |
| Magnolia spp |
Magnolia |
| Michelia doltsopa |
Chinese magnolia |
| Nothofagus obliqua |
Roble beech |
| Osmanthus heterophyllus |
Chinese holly |
| Photinia x fraseri |
Christmas berry |
| Pieris spp. |
Pieris |
| Pseudotsuga menziesii |
Douglas fir |
| Quercus spp (without leaves) |
Oak |
| Rhododendron spp., (other than Rhododendron simsii) |
Rhododendron |
| Rosa gymnocarpa |
Wood rose, Baldhip rose, and Dwarf rose |
| Salix caprea |
Goat willow, Pussy willow or Great sallow |
| Sequoia sempervirens |
Coast redwood |
| Syringa vulgaris |
Common lilac |
| Taxus spp. |
Yew |
| Trientalis latifolia |
Pacific starflower |
| Umbellularia californica |
California laurel, Headache tree |
| Vaccinium ovatum |
Box blueberry |
| Viburnum spp. |
Viburnum |
NOTES
1 Plants of ornamental perennial grasses of the subfamilies Bambusoideae and Panicoideae, and of the genera Buchloe, Bouteloua, Calamagrostis, Cortaderia, Glyceria, Hakonechloa, Hystrix, Molinia, Phalaris, Shibataea, Spartina, Stipa and Uniola, may be imported with a phytosanitary certificate.
2 Plants from non-European countries must be dormant, i.e. free from leaves, flowers and fruit.
3 Plants from prohibited countries may be imported with a phytosanitary certificate if dormant, i.e. free from leaves, flowers and fruit.
Section II: Fruit
| Botanical name |
Common name |
Origin |
Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annona |
Custard apple |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Citrus and hybrids 1 |
Orange, lemon, lime, etc |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Cydonia |
Quince |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Diospyros |
Persimmon, date plum |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Fortunella and hybrids 1 |
Kumquat |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Malus |
Apple |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Mangifera |
Mango |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Momordica |
Bitter melon |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Passiflora |
Passion fruit |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Poncirus and hybrids 1 |
Ornamental citrus |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Prunus |
Includes cherry, plum, peach, apricot |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Psidium |
Guava |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Pyrus |
Pear |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Ribes |
Gooseberry, black-currant, redcurrant |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Solanum melongena |
Aubergine, egg plant |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Syzygium |
Jambolan and rose apple |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Vaccinium |
Cranberry, blueberry |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| All other fruit |
All non- EU countries |
None |
NOTE
1 Fruit must be free from leaves and peduncles.
Section III: Seeds for planting
| Botanical name |
Common name |
Origin |
Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruciferae |
Includes brassicas (cabbage, sprouts, cauliflower, mustard, turnip, broccoli), cress and aubretia |
Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile, New Zealand and Uruguay Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Gramineae |
Grasses and cereals |
Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile, New Zealand and Uruguay Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Allium ascalonicum |
Shallot |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Allium cepa |
Onion |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Allium porrum |
Leek |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Allium schoenoprasum |
Chives |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Helianthus annuus |
Sunflower |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Medicago sativa |
Alfalfa (lucerne) |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Oryza |
Rice |
All non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Phaseolus |
Beans |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Pinus |
Pine |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Prunus |
Includes cherry, plum, peach, apricot and flowering almond |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Pseudotsuga menziesii |
Douglas fir |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Rubus |
Blackberry, raspberry, dewberry and loganberry |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Secale |
Rye |
Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and the USA Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Solanaceae (note tighter restriction on Solanum; see below) |
Includes aubergine, petunia, sweet peppers' tomato etc. |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Solanum (stolon- and tuber-forming species) |
True seed of potato and related species |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| Trifolium |
Clover |
Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile, New Zealand and Uruguay Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Triticum |
Wheat |
Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and the USA Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| X Triticosecale |
Triticale |
Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and the USA Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate None |
| Vitis |
Grape |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| Zea mais |
Maize |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| All other seed |
All non- EU countries |
None |
Section IV: Cut flowers, foliage and vegetables
This section includes cut flowers, parts of plants for decoration or culinary purposes and vegetables.
| Botanical name |
Common name |
Origin |
Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coniferae (note tighter restrictions on certain genera; see below) |
Conifers |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Orchidaceae |
Orchids |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Abies |
Fir |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Acer macrophyllum |
Big leaf maple, Oregon maple |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Acer saccharum |
Sugar, hard or rock maple |
North America |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Aesculus californica |
California buckeye |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Apium graveolens |
Celery, celeriac |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Arbutus menziesii |
Madrone |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Arctostaphylos spp. |
Bearberry, Mazanita |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Aster |
Aster |
Non- European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Castanea (with leaves) |
Sweet chestnut |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Castanea (without leaves) |
Sweet chestnut |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Cedrus |
Cedar |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Chamaecyparis |
False cypress |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Citrus and hybrids |
Orange, lemon, lime etc |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| Dendranthema |
Chrysanthemum |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Dianthus |
Pink, carnation |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Eryngium |
Sea holly, Eryngo |
Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Fortunella and hybrids |
Kumquat |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| Gypsophila |
Gypsophila |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Heteromeles arbutifolia |
Toyon |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Hypericum |
St John's wort |
Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Juniperus |
Juniper |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Larix |
Larch |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Lisianthus |
Lisianthus |
Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Lithocarpus densiflorus |
Tanbark oak |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Lonicera hispidula |
Honeysuckle |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Momordica |
Bitter melon |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Ocimum |
Sweet basil etc |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Pelargonium |
Geranium, pelargonium |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Phoenix |
Date palm |
Algeria and Morocco Other non- EU countries (including Switzerland) |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Picea |
Spruce |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Pinus |
Pine |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Poncirus and hybrids |
Ornamental citrus |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| Populus (with leaves) |
Poplar and aspen |
North America Other non- EU countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Populus (without leaves) |
Poplar and aspen |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Prunus |
Includes cherry, plum, peach, apricot flowering almond etc. |
Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Pseudotsuga |
Douglas fir |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Quercus (with leaves) |
Oak |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Quercus (without leaves) |
Oak |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Rhamnus californica |
Coffeeberry |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Rhododendron spp. (other than Rhododendron simsii) |
Rhododendron |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Rosa |
Rose |
Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Solanum melongena |
Aubergine, egg plant |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Solidago |
Aaron's rod, Golden rod |
All non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Trachelium |
Non-European countries |
Phytosanitary certificate |
|
| Tsuga |
Hemlock |
Non-European countries Non- EU European countries |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Umbellularia californica |
California laurel, Headache tree |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Vaccinium ovatum |
Box blueberry |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Viburnum spp. |
Viburnum |
USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Vitis |
Grape vine |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| All other cut flowers, foliage and vegetables |
All non- EU countries |
None |
Section V: Potatoes
| Botanical name |
Common name |
Origin |
Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubers of Solanum tuberosum intended for planting |
Seed potatoes |
Switzerland Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Plants of stolon or tuber-forming Solanum species, other than Solanum tuberosum, intended for planting |
Seed potatoes (Exotic species) |
All non- EU countries |
Prohibited |
| Tubers of Solanum tuberosum and other tuber-forming Solanum species, other than seed potatoes above |
Ware potatoes |
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Libya, Morocco, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey Other non- EU countries |
Phytosanitary certificate Prohibited |
| Plants and seeds of stolon- and tuber-forming Solanum species and their hybrids intended for breeding or research in accordance with Commission Directive 2008/61/ EC |
Potato breeding material |
Non- EU countries |
Import licence from Scottish Government ( SASA) and, wherever possible, a phytosanitary certificate |
NOTE
For true seed of potato see Section III.
Section VI: Other (Grain, soil and growing medium)
| Material |
Origin |
Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Grain of Triticum (wheat), Secale (rye) and x Triticosecale (triticale) |
Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and USA |
Phytosanitary certificate |
| Soil and growing medium consisting in whole or in part of soil or solid organic substances such as parts of plants, humus including peat or bark, except that composed entirely of peat |
Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and non- EU countries not belonging to continental Europe (other than Egypt, Israel, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia) Continental Europe (excluding Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine) and Egypt, Israel, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia |
Prohibited Phytosanitary certificate |
| Soil and growing medium attached to or associated with plants, consisting in whole or in part of material specified above or any solid inorganic substance, intended to sustain the vitality of the plants |
Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and non-European countries other than Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia |
Phytosanitary certificate |
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