Operational Guidance on the Movement of Used Agricultural Machinery and Forestry Machinery and Growing Media

Defra news item - 4th March 2021

UK Government Sets Out Updated Operational Guidance for the Movement of these Goods from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI)

We are writing to you to set out updated pragmatic arrangements for the following used agricultural and forestry machinery and growing media when being moved from GB to NI. This guidance provides some temporary operational measures to address certain specific practical issues that have emerged, without compromising biosecurity on the island of Ireland, while discussions continue on appropriate, risk-based long-term arrangements.

Plants and Soil/Growing Media

• Bulbs or vegetables that have been grown in soil can be sent from GB to NI even if they still have soil attached, while respecting any pest free area requirements.
• Plants that have been grown in soil can be moved with soil attached, provided they are from an authorised business meeting GB plant passporting requirements for soil.
• Plants that are moving in containers with growing medium attached can be moved from GB to NI where they meet the conditions which apply for GB plant passporting purposes.

Used Agricultural and Forestry Machinery

Traders can move used agricultural and forestry machinery without the need for a phytosanitary certificate, providing they have been washed to remove excessive soil and plant debris. This means that machinery can still be moved if small amounts of soil remain.

How long will these arrangements be in place?

While these arrangements constitute temporary, practical steps to address specific and significant practical burdens, traders should continue to follow this guidance. In bringing them forward we have ensured that there is no compromise to biosecurity of the island of Ireland, and we will continue to work closely with the EU on how we can develop appropriate, risk-based arrangements for the long-term.

A copy of the announcement by HM Government can be found in the incorporated link.

A Question and Answer document has also been produced to provide further information around the practical arrangements of this announcement.