The horticultural industry stands to lose billions of rupees following the implementation of stringent conditions set by the European Union on exports. The new regulations, which came into effect at the beginning of this year, pose a major threat to the industry. Among the requirements is that products originating from third countries must have a phytosanitary certificate. This means that all export consignments must be inspected at the point of entry, and traced to the producer, to establish whether they were produced within the EU's recommended environ-mental safety standards.
Following the new regulations, flowers worth millions may go waste, as they are likely to be turned away at points of entry into the EU for non-compliance. Small flower farmers may be forced to wind up due to the new conditions.
Under the new guidelines, the EU seeks an integrated crop management protocol to be implemented, and farming practices to be assessed regularly.
Imports of floricultural products from outside the European Community are regulated under a single EC phytosanitary decree 77/93, which aims to prevent the spread of damaging diseases and pests. Cut flowers are examined by the governmental phytosanitary inspection service at the border of the first EU market they enter.
FOR CUT FLOWERS THE DECREE DEFINES THREE PRINCIPLES:
1. Harmful organisms whose introduction and distribution through all member States shall be banned, either for all Europe, or only for certain protected areas. Any plant can be officially checked regarding these banned pests, even if it does not require a phytosanitary certificate.
2. Plants or parts of plants, which require a phytosanitary inspection and certificate.
ONLY A FEW FLOWERS ARE ON THE LIST: Castanea mill, Dendranthema, Dianthus (carnations), Pelargonium, Orchids originating in Thailand, branches and leaves of the Phoenix palm, Conifers, Acersaccharum marsh originating in North America and Prunus originating in non-European countries. The list of flowers requiring such certificates is continuously amended. It is advisable to contact the phytosanitary service for up-to-date information.
3. Substances, the utilisation of which is prohibited. A phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin is required for exporting some flower species to the EU. If the consignment in a country other than the country of origin is exposed to phytosanitary risk, a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin, as well as from the country of re-export, is required.
This is also the case if the consignment has been split up, stored or if the packing has been changed in a country other than the country of origin.
A protected zone is a part of the EU where a certain harmful organism does not occur and for which measures are taken to prevent the introduction of the specific harmful organism. When a consignment is destined for such a protected zone, the phytosanitary certificate must indicate, by an additional declaration, that the designated plant products and other material comply with the requirements of the protected zone mentioned.
The import of harmful organisms and of consignments, for which the phytosanitary certificate does not comply with the import requirements, is prohibited. Import permits are necessary when the material is intended for trial or scientific purposes or for work on the selection of varieties.
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