Scotlands New Plant Health Order: What You Need to Know

In a bid to streamline plant health services and ensure full cost recovery, the Scottish Government has amended the Plant Health (Export Certification) Order. Effective from 2025, this amendment reintroduces fees for phytosanitary certificates required for exporting plant consignments from Scotland to Northern Ireland. Here’s a breakdown of what this means for traders and why it’s happening now.

Why the Change?

The amendment comes on the heels of the UK Government's decision to end the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS) on June 30, 2025. MAS previously covered costs associated with the issuance of phytosanitary certificates—essential documents that certify plant consignments meet health standards and are pest-free. With MAS funding no longer available, the Scottish Government is reinstating fees for these services to ensure the system's sustainability.

Understanding Phytosanitary Certificates

Phytosanitary certificates (PCs) are crucial for international plant trade. They serve as proof that shipments have been inspected and meet the plant health standards of the importing country, including EU standards applicable to Northern Ireland under the post-Brexit arrangements. Without these certificates, consignments risk being rejected or destroyed upon entry.

What Does This Mean for Traders?

Traders moving plants from Scotland to Northern Ireland will now shoulder the costs for these certificates. While this might represent an additional upfront expense, the policy aims to allocate service costs more fairly by shifting them from taxpayers to the service users themselves.

Policy Objectives and Compliance

The primary goal is to prevent the spread of harmful pests and diseases by ensuring all plant exports meet rigorous health standards. The Scottish Government remains committed to full cost recovery for plant health services, ensuring public resources are utilized efficiently.

Compatibility and Impact

The amendment is certified as compatible with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, ensuring no adverse impact on children's rights. Furthermore, no significant negative impacts were identified through various assessments, including equalities and environmental evaluations.

No Further Consultation

Although no formal consultation was conducted, the closure of MAS and the resulting policy changes were communicated well in advance by both the UK and Scottish Governments.

Financial Implications

With the end of MAS, the Scottish Government is now responsible for covering the costs of phytosanitary services, necessitating the reintroduction of fees for exporters. However, a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment deemed the financial implications on businesses as not significant.

In summary, while the reintroduction of fees for phytosanitary certificates might seem like an added burden, it is a necessary step to maintain the integrity of plant health standards and ensure the effective functioning of Scotland's export processes. Traders should prepare for these changes and budget accordingly to ensure smooth and compliant trade operations.