Cyprus participating in European campaign on plant health

Cyprus is again participating in the European campaign #PlantHealth4Life, with the aim of creating a collective sense of responsibility as regards the preservation of plant health.

As stated in a press release, most travellers do not realise that when they travel with plants, they in turn may be carrying pests that may pose a significant risk to plant health in the EU. For example, pests such as Xylella have affected significant number of olive trees across the EU. Even an apple in one's bag can carry unwanted visitors, it is added.

Therefore, people traveling outside the EU should avoid transporting plants or seeds because they may inadvertently contribute to the introduction and spread of new harmful organisms in a country, the press release says.

It also states that the phytosanitary passport is a document that contains important information deemed necessary for the trade of seeds, cuttings, plants and trees between businesses in the EU. A phytosanitary passport can only be issued for plants that are free from harmful organisms.

Plants can travel within the EU with the phytosanitary passport. It is noted that in the event that plants and plant products are imported into Cyprus from third countries, then these must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. Since these imported goods are resold to professionals in the Community (including within Cyprus), and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary passport, then the phytosanitary certificate is replaced by the phytosanitary passport. The importers themselves are responsible for issuing the passport in question as long as they are authorized by the Department of Agriculture.

By using phytosanitary passports, authorities and traders can monitor the movement of plants and mitigate the risk of introducing harmful organisms, the press release concludes.

(Source: CNA)