Publication
Exporting forestry plants, wood, and wood products
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Department requires a minimum of 14 days’ notice prior to export to enable inspectors to arrange an inspection and allow for any laboratory testing that may be required to be completed. Applicants are required to complete and submit the following information via our online Export Certification System (ECS):
Access the online Phytosanitary Certificate application form here
From 1 January 2021 consignments of high-risk plants, plant products and used machinery exported to the UK (excl. NI) must be pre-notified to the new UK IT system (PEACH) and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Department.
If you are exporting plants, plant products or used machinery from Ireland or intend to export these goods to the UK (excl. NI) from 1 January 2021 you are required to register with the Department.
1. Registration can be completed by following the steps outlined on our website here .
2. If you are already registered with the Department and have received a Plant Health Registration Number you can check or update your registration for exports by contacting: plantandpests@agriculture.gov.ie .
3. Once registered you will receive a Plant Health Registration Number.
4. Contact the UK National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) to confirm the phytosanitary requirements for your plants or plant products.
5. Send details of the consignment requesting phytosanitary requirements for genus and species to: UKNPPO@defra.gov.uk .
6. Receive an email back which will confirm phytosanitary requirements.
7. The written declaration from the UK NPPO can be used for all subsequent applications of the same genus, species or type of export.
8. Applicants are required to apply for a phytosanitary certificate via the online Export Certification System (ECS); Access the online Phytosanitary Certificate application form here .
9. The Department requires a minimum of 14 days’ notice prior to export to enable inspectors arrange an inspection and allow for any laboratory testing that may be required. Phytosanitary certificates cannot be issued retrospectively.
10. Once you submit your application you will receive an email confirming application and confirming your ECS application reference number.
11. Once you receive the scanned copy of the phytosanitary certificate from the Department, you need to send this to the the UK (excl. NI) based importer who will need to register with PEACH and submit advance notification. This notification must be submitted to PEACH at least 4 hours prior to arrival if travelling by air or Ro-Ro, or at least one working day prior to arrival for all other modes of transport.
12. Once you receive the original phytosanitary certificate via post, retain a duplicate for your records and post the original to your UK customer who will send it to UK NPPO (DEFRA).
13. Currently no fees are charged directly to exporters for the provision of certification.
A full list of procedures related to exports is available on our website Registration and Procedures for Export of Plants and Plant Products .
To apply for an EHC exporters can:
Access the Export Certification System (ECS) - the new Export Portal for guest users. Users with a login can access the registered version of the Exports Portal via agfood.ie .
For information on high risk plant and plant product exports after the 1st of January please see Exporting forestry plants, wood, and wood products .
Updated trader notices can be found here .
In the event that you have any queries in relation to this matter, please contact this office either by emailing plantandpests@agriculture.gov.ie or by telephone (01)5058885.
Exporters of regulated forestry plants, wood, or wood products from Ireland to the UK (excl. NI) are required to register for Plant Health with the Department.
Please contact forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie . Further information on registration is available here .
1. All exports of regulated forestry plants, wood or wood products must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Department.
2. Applicants for phytosanitary certificates are required to complete their application and submit their export information via the online Export Certification System (ECS); Application through Single Sign On (SSO) is recommended for regular exporters while an anonymous portal is also available which is suitable for one-off or irregular exporters.
3. The application should include any additional declarations, as required by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the UK, in the appropriate field on the application.
4. The exporter will need to request the phytosanitary certificate from the Department 14 days in advance of export using the ECS system.
5. The exporter is required to submit an application for a phytosanitary certificate for each consignment. (Note a consignment may comprise of one or a number of (truck) loads).
6. The phytosanitary certificate may be posted and/or scanned and emailed to the exporter.
7. Once the exporter receives the scanned copy of the phytosanitary certificate it can be sent to the importer in the UK (excl. NI) as they will need to submit this as part of the pre-notification process.
8. No fee is charged directly to exporters for the provision of phytosanitary certification.
9. The importer in the UK (excl. NI) must provide advance notification to the authorities using the PEACH system at least 4 working hours prior to arrival for roll-on-roll-off consignments.
Further detail is available the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-health-news/plant-health-news-issue-40-december-2020 .
Queries in relation to this or any other aspect of the importation of wood and timber can be sent to forestprotection@agriculture.gov.ie .