Explanatory note

This Order, which applies to Scotland only, supersedes the Plant Health Fees (Scotland) Order 1993 and 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, certain listed plants, plant products and other objects 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.

The fees prescribed by this Order in relation to plant passporting matters reflect the costs expected to be incurred in undertaking the inspections and are essentially unalter ed. The only changes of substance are a minor alteration in the maximum and minimum areas for which a fee is relevant and an adjustment in the fees applicable to areas in excess of 20 hectares resulting in a reduction in the fee payable in respect of premises of between 20.1 and 35.00 hectares, a marginal increase in the fees payable in respect of premises of between 35.1 and 50 hectares, and the introduction of an amended charge for premises in excess of 50 hectares.

This Order also increases a number of fees for the issue of licences under the 1993 Order to permit the importation of those articles which would otherwise be prohibited (article 4). The fees for the consideration of an application for the issue of scientific and commercial (potato breeders' and other quarantine material) import licences are increased by 40%. The fees for other commercial and private import licences are also increased but will include the cost of a site inspection which is now mandatory in relation to the issue of such licences.

Other fees are unchanged.