Simplified Overview: New Regulations for Fruit Plant Health in Scotland

What’s Happening?

The Scottish Government is updating its rules on fruit plants and propagating materials, like seeds and young plants, to match changes made by the European Union (EU). This ensures that Scotland's fruit plants remain healthy, high-quality, and can continue to be sold in EU markets.

Why the Change?

• Alignment with the EU: After Brexit, the UK still wants its fruit plants to be accepted in the EU. By aligning with the EU’s updated plant health rules, Scotland can maintain this important trade relationship.

• Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests (RNQPs): These pests are not under strict quarantine but can still harm plants economically. The regulation updates the list of RNQPs to include new pests that need monitoring, like the Tomato ringspot virus, and removes others that no longer pose a significant threat.

Specific Updates:

1. Changes to Pest Lists:

   • Removed: Fig mosaic agent and Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense.
   • Added: Pucciniastrum minimum, Tomato ringspot virus, and Tobacco ringspot virus for certain fruit plants.

2. New Requirements: Updates to how plants are sampled, tested, and grown to ensure they are free from these pests.

Impact on Industry:

• Minimal Disruption: The changes are designed to have little impact on the Scottish fruit industry, ensuring smooth continuation of trade with the EU.

• Timely Implementation: The new rules will take effect on October 7, 2025, allowing time for all UK regions to adjust without impacting market equivalence.

Consultation and Financial Impact:

• Consultation: A joint consultation with relevant stakeholders showed no objections, suggesting broad agreement with the changes.

• Financial Impact: No significant financial effects are expected on the public or private sectors, so no detailed impact assessment was necessary.

Conclusion:

These updates are crucial for maintaining Scotland’s position in the EU market for fruit plants while ensuring that the plants remain healthy and pest-free. The changes reflect a careful balance of regulatory alignment and minimal disruption to the industry.