New UK-wide measures against Xylella

On Thursday 11th February 2021, with the agreement of the Devolved Administrations, Defra introduced UK-wide legislation which implements new measures for Xylella. These measures will come into force on 4th March 2021.

Full information can be found on Defra's website, including a letter summarising the new legislation. 

Under the new measures, imports of the highest risk host plants (Polygala and Coffea) are only allowed from countries where Xylella is known not to occur. 
 
The existing requirements applying to the import of other host plants (Olive, Almond, Lavender, Rosemary and Nerium oleander) from countries where Xylella is known to occur have been strengthened. Imports will only be permitted under certain conditions, including inspections of the place of production and the surrounding area, testing, pre-export inspections and a one-year quarantine period prior to import. The existing requirements for plants from countries where Xylella is not known to occur, which include annual official inspection, with sampling and testing of the plants, are to be maintained.

A copy of the regulations can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/136/contents/made