Article 17 Authority to issue plant passports
A forestry trader may apply to the Commissioners for authority to issue plant passports in relation to any relevant material to be moved from his premises.
An application under paragraph (1) above shall be in writing, shall give sufficient notice to allow the Commissioners to undertake any necessary examination of the forestry trader’s premises, and shall contain such particulars as the Commissioners may from time to time determine.
The Commissioners shall give their authority under paragraph (1) only if—
the applicant is listed in the register, and
having regard to any examination of the premises of the applicant and any relevant material there, they are satisfied that those premises or relevant material are free from any relevant organisms.
A statement of the Commissioners' authority to issue plant passports shall be given in writing and may be given subject to such conditions as they consider necessary, including a condition limiting the validity of any plant passport to be issued by the forestry trader concerned.
If, having regard to any examination of any premises and any relevant material there, the Commissioners are not satisfied that the premises or material are free from relevant organisms, or they consider that a trader has failed to meet any of the conditions set out in article 16(1), the Commissioners may suspend the operation of that authority entirely or in relation to specified premises or material.
If there is any change in the particulars listed in the register in respect of any forestry trader, any authority to issue plant passports given to that forestry trader shall be suspended until—
he notifies the Commissioners of that change pursuant to article 15(3), and
the Commissioners confirm in writing that his authority to use plant passports has been renewed.
Where the Commissioners are satisfied that a forestry trader listed in the register—
has failed to comply with any of the conditions for registration specified in article 16(1); or
has failed to comply with a requirement duly made by an inspector under article 21,
they may suspend or vary any authority to use plant passports given to that forestry trader.