Before they can be introduced into the Community, certain plants, plant products or other objects (listed in Part B of Annex V to Directive 2000/29/EC) must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, issued by the National Plant Protection Organisation of the exporting country. Upon entry into the Community, the phytosanitary certificate may be replaced by a plant passport (for those imported plants, plant products or other objects which are also listed in Part A of Annex V).

Phytosanitary certificates should be issued conforming to the models set out under the International Plant Protection Convention, certifying that the plants, plant products or other objects:

• Have been subject to the appropriate inspections;
• Are considered to be free from quarantine harmful organisms, and practically free from other harmful organisms;
• Are considered to conform with the phytosanitary regulations of the importing country.

Exemptions to the above requirements are possible in the following cases, provided that there is no risk of the spreading of harmful organisms:

• Plants, plant products or other objects passing through the territory of the Community;
• The entry of small quantities of plants, plant products or other objects intended for non-industrial or non-commercial use or for consumption during transport;
• The entry of plants, plant products or other objects, which are intended for trial or scientific purposes or for work on varietal selections;
• The entry of plants, plant products or other objects grown, produced or used in the immediate frontier zone between a Member State and a third country.

Other exemptions to the above requirements may be granted under specific stringent conditions, and generally for a limited period of time, in accordance with Article 15 of Directive 2000/29/EC.

Legislation

Imports for trials, scientific research and work on varietal selections