2454 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Evaluation of the Community Plant Health Regime: Final Report
DG SANCO Evaluation Framework Contract Lot 3 (Food Chain)
To prevent third countries from setting unrealistic and not science-based import
requirements: training results in a better understanding of the rationale of the EU Plant
Health regulation, leading to improved liaison between professionals and experts from other
countries, to exchange information and share opinions, with the consequences that import
requirements are more realistic and in line with the objectives of EU exporters;
To improve the understanding of and compliance with EU requirements: training
programmes are very useful learning tools to enhance in a significant way the knowledge of
the staff in charge of official controls regarding plant health issues. They contribute to an upto-date
knowledge of the relevant EU legislation in the countries trading with Europe and
offer a comprehensive approach to compliance with specific requirements, as well as to
carrying out controls more in line with EU standards. The in-depth understanding of
successful practices and approaches developed in other countries is also much appreciated
and valuable in terms of fostering the adoption of common strategies.
All these potential advantages of capacity building may lead to a reduction in the number of
interceptions over time and therefore create cost-savings for EU and MS inspection bodies.
Additionally, reduced-frequency checks may be applied for certain plants and plant products
coming from countries which have been involved in this type of training.
It is therefore recommended that more capacity building is provided to third countries, including
via the increased provision of BTSF training on plant health to third country trading partners,
particularly in cases of repeated interceptions.
3.4.11 Effectiveness of emergency measures
Article 16(2) of Directive 2000/29/EC provides for MS, where there is an imminent danger of
introduction or spread of HOs, to temporarily apply any additional protective (emergency)
measures generally to certain commodities or imports (―safeguard clause‖). Such measures have
to be reviewed by the Standing Committee on Plant Health (SCPH) and adopted for general
application in the EU or revoked through comitology. Where the risk comes from consignments
of plants, plant products or other objects originating in third countries, MS must immediately
take action to protect the territory of the Community from that danger, and inform the
Commission and other MS. Additionally, the Commission may also adopt provisional
emergency measures on its own initiative.
For example, following the first confirmation of Phytophthora ramorum in a nursery in April
2002, the UK introduced emergency legislation in order to control imports of susceptible
material from the USA and to require notification of susceptible material being moved within the
UK. After discussion in the SCPH, EU legislation was introduced through Commission Decision
2002/757/EC. This extended control throughout the EU on susceptible material imported from
the USA and introduced a plant passport regime for movement of Rhododendron and Viburnum
spp. within the EU. This regime includes requirements (relating to inspections and
eradication/quarantine procedures at the place of production) that have to be fulfilled before
material can be moved. There also was a request for MS to undertake official surveys.
Food Chain Evaluation Consortium 109