. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/GBR/2
31 May 2002
(02-3002)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   UNITED KINGDOM
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:   Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish
Executive, National Assembly for Wales, Department for Agriculture and Rural
Development in Northern Ireland, Forestry Commission
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, whereapplicable):
- 06023000 – Rhododendron
- ex 06029041 – Aesculus, Quercus, Lithocarpus
- ex 06029045 and 06029049 -  Plants of  Acer, Arbutus, Arctostaphylos, Heteromeles,
Lonicera, Rhamnus, Umbellularia, Vaccinium, Viburnum
Plus wood and wood products of Acer, Aesculus, Lithocarpus  and Quercus falling under
44011000;  44012200;  44039995;  44042000;  44079910;  4415
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:
United States of America
5. Title, language  and number of pages of the notified document:  The Plant Health
(Phytophthora ramorum ) (England) Order 2002, SI No. 2002/1299;  The Plant Health
(Phytophthora ramorum ) (Scotland) Order 2002;  The Plant Health ( Phytophthora
ramorum ) (Wales) Order 2002;  The Plant Health ( Phytophthora ramorum ) (Northern
Ireland) Order 2002;  The Plant Health (Forestry)( Phytophthora ramorum ) (Great Britain)
Order 2002;  The Plant Health (Forestry)( Phytophthora ramorum ) (Northern Ireland)
Order 2002
6. Description of content:   Measures requiring:
(1) an additional declaration on phytosanitary certificates for plants exported from the
United States of America to the United Kingdom of the following genera:
Acer, Aesculus, Arbutus, Arctostaphylos, Heteromeles, Lithocarpus, Lonicera, Quercus,
Rhamnus, Rhododendron, Umbellularia, Vaccinium, Viburnum
To show that these plants originate from areas of the United States of America recognised by
the authorities as free from Phytophthora ramorum .
(2) a requirement for importers of the above-mentioned plants to notify the authorities of
their arrival.G/SPS/N/GBR/2
Page 2
(3) An extension of requirements on wood imports from the USA to require that wood
derived from Acer macrophyllum  Pursh., Aesculus californica  Nutt., and Lithocarpus
densiflorus  (H. & A.) be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.  By way of an
additional declaration, the certificate shall confirm either  that the wood has been
treated in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2000/29/EC Annex IV Part A
Section 1, item 3 or, in the case of wood  other than Quercus  L, that it originates in an
area recognised as free from Phytophthora ramorum .
(4) An extension of the prohibition on the import of isolated bark of Quercus  L., other
than Quercus suber , to include isolated bark derived from Acer macrophyllum,  Pursh.,
Aesculus californica  Nutt., and Lithocarpus densiflorus  (H. & A.)
7. Objective and rationale:  [    ] food safety, [   ] animal health, [ X ] plant protection,
[   ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [   ]  protect territory from other
damage from pests
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  Phytophthora ramorum
has caused the death of oaks and other plants in California and Oregon.  There is as yet
insufficient information to determ ine the susceptibility of European species of oaks and other
trees and plants to this disease.  However, the Pest Risk Analysis indicates the potential for
severe damage to oaks and other species with in Europe.  A different mating strain of this
fungus has been found infecting Rhododendron a nd Viburnum in several European countries.
Until sufficient research has been completed in to the susceptibility of European species and
into the possible effects of the two mating st rains combining the United Kingdom authorities
wish to prevent the entry of plant materi al potentially carrying the US mating strain.
9. International standard, gu ideline or recommendation:
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [   ] Office International des Epizooties,
[ X ] International Plant Protec tion Convention, [   ] None
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:  ISPM NO 11
10. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  English
11. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):   13 May 2002 (for plants)
England and Scotland;  14 May 2002 (Wales);  7 June 2002 (for forest tree species and timber
in Great Britain).  The two orders for Northern Ireland are still being prepared.
12. Agency or authority designated to handl e comments:  [   ] National notification
authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:
13. Texts available from:  [   ] National notification authority, [ X ]  National enquiry point,
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body: