Which objective(s) does the Commission pursue?

The initiative codifies and simplifies current procedures:

• Seven Council Directives are replaced by a single Regulation.

• Better protection against new plant pests while streamlining rules.

• Harmonisation, simplification and modernisation of plant passport system: number of entries will be cut by more than half, plant passport unique may now be replaced by hologram or chip from the operator, operator responsibility for traceability of lots has been introduced.

• Possibility of including the plant passport in the official label issued for plant reproductive material in accordance with provisions set out in the existing Directives on seeds and other propagating material (Seeds and Propagating Material Directives).

• Simplification and harmonisation of plant passports and other types of certification; plant passport and official certification labels to be included in one document.

• Joint registration of professional operators dealing with all types of plants / plant reproductive material.

• Joint certification schemes for plant reproductive material and plants subject to plant health provisions.

Estimated savings and benefits

The proposal establishes a proactive regime with a view to achieve increased savings from the prevention of devastating pest outbreaks. Therefore, a cost increase in implementation of up to EUR 50 mio for the EU (at the level of MS, operators and EU budget) would avoid financial losses which could amount up to EUR 25 billion per outbreak.

Outcome of Legislative Procedure

The European Parliament and the Council introduced stricter rules on imports of plants/plant products from non-EU countries and a broadening of the scope for plant passports for the internal movements of plants for planting.

Those rules are expected to restrict imports of entire plants, fruits, vegetables, cut flowers etc entailing additional costs for importers and traders of those goods. A broadened use of plant passports will also increase the burden for issuing them. On the other hand, EU producers will profit from the reduction of the phytosanitary risk caused by the import of those goods and the increased traceability of plants in the EU market. As required by the new Regulation, the Commission submitted two reports respectively on the new import rules and on the extension of the plant passport system.

Estimated savings and benefits

The Council and European Parliament accepted the basic logic of the Regulation which implies higher expenditures for proactive actions (e.g. surveys, prioritisation of pests, contingency plans, expanded certification, increased use of plant passports) to achieve higher gains through the prevention of devastating outbreaks of pests. Due to the limited availability of data, the estimated savings have not been updated to reflect the agreed final text.

The stricter rules on import are put into practice through new implementing acts and official controls. To enhance the enforcement and effectiveness of the import requirements, some areas might be considered for further discussion. This applies to (1) the improvement of the coherence of the provisions for regulated non quarantine pests and their controls, (2) the procedures for granting derogations from import prohibitions under Article 40 of the Plant Health Regulation, reinforcing transparency on the procedures for high risk plants under Article 42, and (3) targeted official controls on plants and plant products imported through distance sales.

The extension of the plant passport system to all plants for planting has increased effectiveness of protection against quarantine pests, improved preparedness for the identification of new plant pests of EU concern, improved understanding and awareness of relevant stakeholders on the plant health importance and increased possibility to identify pests. The reports adopted in December 2021 point to possible further simplification that could be achieved through targeted amendments of the current arrangements, in particular as regards (1) the provisions for the attachment of plant passports to trade units, (2) distance sales and (3) a possible electronic plant passport (without unnecessarily increasing of the administrative burden on small producers and without losing the traceability that the attachment of a plant passport to the trade unit provides with the new rules that are now in place).