There are many pests and diseases that can cause serious damage to commercial crops, garden plants, and plants in the environment. Plant health legislation sets out controls to prevent the introduction and establishment of quarantine pests and diseases that are not present in Guernsey.
As a result of Brexit, significant restrictions now apply to the movement of plants and plant material between Guernsey and the EU.
Plant Health Legislation
The Plant Health (Brexit) (Amendment) (Guernsey) Regulations 2020 came into effect on 1st January 2021.
These Regulations make amendments to the following pre-existing legislation:
- The Plant Health Regulation (EU Regulation 2016/2031)
- The Phytosanitary Conditions Regulation (EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2072)
- Other EU preserved law
- The Plant Health (Implementation) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2020
These Regulations ensure close alignment is maintained with legislation in mainland UK, Jersey and the Isle of Man. This allows for the continued free movement of plants between Guernsey and Mainland UK, Jersey and the Isle of Man, subject to the requirement for GB Plant Passports for commercial plant movements and for plants sent by mail order.
The Plant Health (Brexit) (Amendment) (Guernsey) Regulations 2020 and The Plant Health (implementation) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2020 are published on Guernsey Legal Resources and can be found here.
For consolidated versions of The Plant Health Regulation and The Phytosanitary Conditions Regulation contact the Plant Health Officer.
Plant Health Import Controls
Plant imports pose the greatest threat to plant health in Guernsey, with the threat dependent upon the type and source of the plant material imported.
With the constant emergence of new quarantine pests and diseases, importers are encouraged to consider plant health risk when sourcing plant material.
Imports from Great Britain
- Guernsey has adopted legislation that is closely aligned with the UK which, together with an equivalent plant health status for quarantine pests and diseases, allows for relative free movement of plants and plant material between Guernsey and the UK.
- For commercial imports a UK Plant Passport must accompany all plants, and plant material for planting such as cuttings, tubers, bulbs, corms and rhizomes, as well as specified seeds, specified wood and Christmas trees over 3 meters in height.
- A full list of the plant material that requires a UK Plant Passport can be found here.
- For non-commercial imports a UK Plant Passport is required for plants and plant material for planting supplied by mail order (distance contracts). It is the supplier's responsibility to apply UK Plant Passports.
- There are no restrictions on plant material moved in passenger luggage, including plants moved as part of a relocation to Guernsey.
- Plant material that has not been cleared for entry into the UK but has moved "in transit" through the UK will be subject to import controls in Guernsey. These controls will be dependent upon the country of export.
Imports from the EU
- The following "high priority plants and plant products" from the EU, must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate:
- All plants,
- Plant material for planting such as cuttings, tubers, bulbs, corms and rhizomes,
- Potatoes (both seed and table potatoes),
- Specified seeds (includes tomato, pepper and sunflower),
- Wood from specified tree species,
- Used agricultural and forestry machinery.
- This requirement applies to both commercial imports and non-commercial imports.
- See the download "high priority plants and plant products" for the full list.
- A phytosanitary certificate is an official health certificate issued by the plant health authority in the country of export and is intended for the plant health authority in the country of import.
- For commercial imports:
- A plant health import notification form must be completed and sent to envhealth@gov.gg along with a copy of the phytosanitary certificate and any associated documentation.
- Import notifications must be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance of import. See the download "plant health import notification".
- There is also a requirement to make an import declaration on the Guernsey Border Agency GEMs system. A copy of the plant health import notification should be provided along with this import declaration.
- More information on GEMS can be found here.
- All consignments will be subject to documentary checks and may be subject to import inspection. Importers are required to present the original phytosanitary certificate to the Plant Health Inspector and must make consignments available for official inspection.
- For non-commercial imports:
- The original phytosanitary certificate must be made available at the time of import. Importers are advised to provide consignment details to the Plant Health Officer well in advance of any imports.
- All high priority plants and plant products in passenger luggage must be declared to the Guernsey Border Agency on arrival and the phytosanitary certificate must be presented.
- For postal imports the original phytosanitary certificate must be attached to the outside of the packaging and must be clearly visible.
- All consignments will be subject to documentary checks and may be subject to official inspection.
Wood fuel/Logs Imports from the EU
- Solid wood fuel can carry a range of insects and fungal diseases that are a threat to the health of the island's trees. Unless the tree species is known, wood fuel should not be imported.
- All wood fuel from tree species included in the list of "high priority plants and plant products" must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
- For commercial imports there is an obligation on the imported to notify the Plant Health Officer no later than 4 days after import of:
- The date of import/expected date of import,
- The intended destination of the consignment/current location, and
- The genus, species and quantity of the wood.
Wood Packaging Material Imports from the EU
- Wood packaging material (WPM) can carry a range of insects and fungal diseases that are a threat to the health of the island's trees.
- All WPM, including pallets, crates, packing cases, cable drums and spools must be treated and stamped with official mark as a declaration of compliance with International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures number 15 (ISPM15).
- ISPM15 can be found here.
Used Agricultural and Forestry Machinery and Vehicles from the EU
- Soil and debris attached to used agricultural and forestry machinery and vehicles can carry the fungal disease of Plane trees (Ceratocystis plantani).
- All used agricultural and forestry machinery and vehicles must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate which must include a declaration that they originate in a pest free area or that they have been cleaned free from all soil and plant debris.
Imports from Countries Outside the EU
- All plants, live plant material and specified plant products must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
- Some imports would pose an unacceptable plant health risk and are prohibited.
- For more information contact the Plant Health Officer.
Plant Health Export Controls
Plant material exported from Guernsey must comply with plant health requirements of the country of import.
Exports to Great Britain
- Guernsey has adopted legislation that is closely aligned with the UK which, together with an equivalent plant health status for quarantine pests and diseases, allows for relative free movement of plants and plant material between Guernsey and the UK.
- For commercial exports a UK Plant Passport issued in Guernsey must accompany all plants, and plant material for planting such as cuttings, tubers, bulbs, corms and rhizomes, as well as specified seeds.
- For non-commercial exports there are no restrictions on the movement of plant material with the exception of specified trees and shrubs that are exported to Jersey.
- For more information on plant exports to Jersey contact the Plant Health Officer.
Exports to the EU
- The export of plant material to the EU is controlled under the EU Plant Health Regulation 2016/2031. All plants, live plant material and some plant products must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate and pre import notification is required. The importation of seed potatoes and soil is prohibited. These requirements apply to both commercial and to non-commercial imports.
- Guidance on EU import requirements can be found here.
- For more information contact the Plant Health Officer.
Exports to the Rest of the World
- The controls on the export of plants, live plant material and plant products to the rest of the world will be dependent upon the country of import.
- For more information contact the Plant Health Officer.
