The Plant Health (Phytophthora ramorum) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002

This Order implements measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the pest Phytophthora ramorum, a fungus which is not established in the United Kingdom. It regulates the importation and movement into and within Northern Ireland of plant material identified as susceptible to the pest, believed to cause Sudden Oak Death syndrome in certain species of oak in the USA, and harm to Rhododendron, Viburnum and other plants.

This Order restricts the importation of a number of plant genera, including Rhododendron and Viburnum (“susceptible material”) directly from the USA by requiring that such imports be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate which confirms that the material originates from a location which is officially recognised in the USA as free from the pest (Article 3). This requirement is imposed in addition to the requirements of The Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 (S.R. 1993 No. 256) (see Article 4(1)(e) and Schedule 4, Part A, Section 1; Article 4(1)(f) and Schedule 5, Part B, Section 1; and Article 4(1)(g)) and applies whether the importer is acting in the course of a trade or business or not. Susceptible material which is imported after the coming into operation of this Order on 9th September 2002, but which is accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued before 9th September 2002 is exempted from the import requirement of this Order.

Commercial movements of susceptible material into Northern Ireland whether from elsewhere in the UK or European Community, or from any other country, must be notified to a Plant Health Inspector by the person occupying premises at which delivery of the material is taken (Article 4(2)). Commercial movements of susceptible material within Northern Ireland must be notified to a Plant Health Inspector by the person occupying premises from which the material is despatched (Article 4(3)). The notification requirements apply only to persons acting in the course of a trade or business (Article 5(2)).

A Plant Health Inspector may dispense in writing with any or all of the requirements for notification where he obtains sufficient information about any susceptible material falling under this Order (Article 6(1)). A Plant Health Inspector acting under this Order may exercise powers to check compliance (by examining, sampling and marketing property and/or premises) conferred by Article (25)(a) and (b) of the principal Order (“Article 25 powers”) (Article 6(3)(a)), and may inspect documents, including documents and records held on computer, when exercising Article 25 powers (Article 6(3)(b) and (4)). Any Article 25 power exercised under this Order has the same effect as if exercised under the relevant Article of the principal Order so that once that power is exercised, the relevant consequential provisions of the principal Order, including provisions as to offences, take effect (Article 6(5)).

Offences are created in respect of the contravention or failure to comply with the notification requirements of the Order (Article 7(1)(a)) and in respect of obstructing an inspector exercising his powers to require production of documents and records (Article 7(1)(b)). (Note also that breach of the provision prohibiting certain imports from the USA without the requisite phytosanitary certificate and official statement is a matter for prosecution by HM Customs & Excise, pursuant to section 50 of the Customs & Excise Management Act 1979).