(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations, which apply to England and Wales only, prescribe fees in respect of inspections carried out for the purpose of conferring authority to issue plant passports (including check of business records) under the Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/1320).
Under that Order, from 1st June 1993, certain listed plants, plant products and other objects will require a plant passport for movement within the European Community including any trade within the United Kingdom. Producers, traders and importers of such material must first be authorised to issue plant passports by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Secretary of State. The authorisation process involves an inspection of premises and the listed plant material and includes a check on business records.
This system replaces within the European Community the previous system of issue of phytosanitory certificates which were required to accompany exports of certain plants, plant products etc.
The fees prescribed by these Regulations are charged at an hourly rate calculated to reflect the costs expected to be incurred in undertaking the inspections.