Explanatory note

This Order, which applies to Scotland only, prescribes fees in respect of inspections carried out for the purpose of conferring authority to issue plant passports under the Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993 (“the 1993 Order”).

Under the 1993 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 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 phytosanitary certificates which were required to accompany exports of certain plants, plant products etc.

The fees prescribed by this Order reflect the costs expected to be incurred in undertaking the inspections and replace the fees charged in respect of export certification under the Import and Export (Plant Health) (Scotland) Fees Order 1992 (“the 1992 Order”) which is therefore revoked (article 5).

This Order also prescribes fees for the issue of licences under the 1993 Order to permit the importation of those articles which would otherwise be prohibited (article 4). These fees are unchanged from the 1992 Order.