Importing plants from countries within the EU
Find out how to import plants from countries within the European Union (EU).
If you import certain tree and woody plant genera from EU countries and Switzerland to Northern Ireland there are certain notification requirements you must make.
As of 1st of December 2018, there is a notification requirement for certain tree species and woody plant species imported directly from countries within the European Union. These are tree species within the genera of:
- Castanea (Sweet Chestnut)
- Fraxinus (Ash)
- Pinus (Pine)
- Platanus (Plane)
- Prunus (e.g. Cherry
- Plum, Laurel)
- Quercus (Oak)
- Ulmus (Elm)
As of the 28th of March 2019, Olea (Olive) has also been added to this list as it is an important host species for the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa. This requirement also applies to imports from Switzerland.
It is important to note that Northern Ireland has Protected Zone status for certain pests and diseases associated with many of these genera and relevant passporting requirements apply.
Landings of plants for planting of the relevant genera must be notified to DAERA prior to or up to 4 days after landing in Northern Ireland using the form found below.