Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations, which apply only to Northern Ireland and come into operation on 1st September 2005, implement Article 13d of Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8th May 2000 (OJ No. L 169, 10.7.00, p. 1), as last amended by Commission Directive 2005/15/EC of 28th February 2005 (OJ No. L 56, 2.3.2005, p. 12), (“the Directive”), which requires member States to charge fees to cover the costs occasioned by the documentary checks, identity checks and plant health checks of imports of specified wood or isolated bark from third countries provided for in Article 13a(1) of the Directive.
The Regulations also apply to consignments of specified wood that are subject to emergency measures under The Plant Health (Wood and Bark)(Phytophthora ramorum) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (regulation 3(1)(b)).
An importer is required to pay the fee specified in Parts A and B of Schedule 1 for plant health checks which are carried out (regulation 4(2)).
An importer is required to pay the fee specified in Schedule 2 for documentary checks and identity checks (regulation 4(3)). Wood packaging material actually in use is exempt from fees (regulation 4(4)).
An importer must provide certain information concerning the consignment at least 3 days before it is landed in Northern Ireland (regulation 5).
No Regulatory Impact Assessment has been undertaken in respect of these regulations.