EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Plant Health (England) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2530) (“the principal Order”) so as to implement the instruments below—

(a) Commission Decision 2007/365/EC on emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (OJ No. L 139, 31.5.2007, p. 24);

(b) Commission Decision 2007/433/EC on provisional emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Gibberella circinata Nirenberg & O’Donnell (OJ No. L 161, 22.6.2007, p. 66);

(c) Commission Decision 2007/410/EC on measures to prevent the introduction into and spread within the Community of Potato spindle tuber viroid (OJ No. L 155, 15.6.2007, p. 71);

(d) Commission Decision 2004/416/EC on temporary emergency measures in respect of certain citrus fruits originating in Argentina or Brazil (OJ No. L 151, 30.4.2004, p. 76), as amended by Commission Decision 2007/347/EC (OJ No. L 130, 22,5,2007, p. 46); and

(e) Commission Directive 2007/41/EC amending certain Annexes to Council Directive 2000/29/EC on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community (OJ No. L 169, 29.6.2007, p. 51).

This Order makes provision for a purpose mentioned in section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (c. 68) and references to the Decisions listed in (a), (b), (c) and (d) are to be construed as references to those instruments as amended from time to time.

Articles 3, 4 and 5 make various amendments to Schedules 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to the principal Order so as to apply the restrictions on the landing in and movement within England of certain plant material (described in each article) from third countries and other parts of the European Community and the requirements for phytosanitary certificates and plant passports to the plant material listed in order to prevent the introduction into and spread within England of, respectively, the following plant pests: Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), Gibberella circinata Nirenberg & O’Donnell, Potato spindle tuber viroid.

Article 6 amends Schedule 4 to the principal Order so as to apply special requirements in respect of certain citrus fruits originating in Brazil.

Article 7 amends the definition of “Directive 2000/29/EC” so as to incorporate within it Commission Directive 2007/41/EC and adds Vitis L. to the list of plants in Part B of Schedule 7 to the principal Order requiring a plant passport if they are to be consigned to a protected zone in another part of the European Community.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen. A Transposition Note is available and can be obtained from Plant Health Division, Defra, Foss House, Kings Pool, Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PX.