Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/12032 authorises Member States to provide for a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Council Directive 2000/29/EC3 in respect of special requirements concerning the introduction into the Union of ash (Fraxinus L.) wood originating or processed in the United States.

Directive 2000/29/EC has been repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/20724 setting out rules and requirements concerning the introduction into the Union of certain plants, plant products or other objects has replaced Annexes I to V to that Directive.

Pursuant to Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 in conjunction with point 87 of Annex VII to that Regulation, the introduction into the Union of ash wood originating or processed in the United States (‘the specified wood’) is subject to certain special requirements to avoid the risk of infestation into the Union by the pest Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire. Those requirements differ to a certain extent from the requirements set out in Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1203, as regards the introduction into the Union of the specified wood, its inspection and supervision.

On the basis of recent Commission audits carried out in 2018 and 2019, it has been concluded that by applying under its official control the requirements laid down in Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1203, the United States ensures a level of phytosanitary protection which is equivalent to that provided by the requirements set out in points 87(a) and (b) of Annex VII to Regulation (EU) 2019/2072.

Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1203 is to apply until 30 of June 2020. On 16 January 2020, the United States has requested a prolongation of that derogation after 30 June 2020.

In order to guarantee the continuing imports of ash wood originating or processed in the United States, it is appropriate to provide for a derogation from Article 8(1) and points 87(a) and (b) of Annex VII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 so as to allow the introduction of the specified wood into the Union subject to compliance with special requirements reflecting, with a few adaptations, those set out in Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1203.

This Regulation should apply from 1 July 2020, in order to ensure the continuation of imports of the specified wood.

This Regulation should apply until 30 June 2023, in order to allow for the review of its application by that date.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,