Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The trade and movement of plants and plant products into and within the EU is governed by the EU Plant Health Regulation 2031 of 2016 and the Official Controls Regulations 625 of 2017. These Regulations also harmonise rules in other areas, including surveillance for pests of plant health and actions to be taken in the event of the confirmation of the presence of specific plant pests.

My Department conducts annual plant health surveillance checks for plant pests and diseases, including the protected zone pest, Fireblight.

At confirmed outbreak locations a 500m infested zone and a 5km buffer zone are established and further intensive surveys and sampling are carried out to determine the extent of the outbreak. Under EU rules, a 24-month period from the official confirmation of the presence of the pest is permitted to complete surveillance and achieve eradication, where possible.

To mitigate risk, hosts plant for the disease Erwinia amylovora (Fireblight) are subject to the following import requirements:

• Imports from another Member State are required to be notified to my Department no more than 48 hours after their arrival and plants must be accompanied by a specific Protected Zone Plant Passport which certifies that the protected zone requirements have been fulfilled.
• With the exception of certain third countries where imports are prohibited, imports from third countries are required to be pre-notified to my Department one working day in advance of the expected arrival. Consignments require a phytosanitary certificate for entry into protected zones in accordance with the requirements in Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.

Furthermore, all plants, irrespective of their origin, must be accompanied by a specific protected zone Plant Passport which certifies that the requirements of the additional protected zone requirements have been fulfilled.

Promoting and safeguarding plant health is a key strategic principle of the Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025.