European Parliament adopts amendments on Plant Health Regulation to boost plant protection across the EU

On Wednesday, the European Parliament resounding adopted the trilogy provisional agreement on the amendments to the Plant Health Regulation  (EU) 2016/2031. These amendments will further help to protect plant health in the European Union (EU). The new measures include, for example, increased phytosanitary guarantees and a more transparent procedure for granting temporary derogations from import prohibitions, while at the same time, streamline reporting obligations. Furthermore, the improvements will ensure that the EU responds swiftly in the face of phytosanitary threats by means of a Union Plant Health Emergency Team which shall provide urgent assistance on the measures to be taken by the Union concerning new outbreaks of Union quarantine pests and pests subject to the measures adopted pursuant to Article 30 of the Plant Health Regulation. The Team may also provide urgent assistance to third countries bordering the Union territory or presenting an imminent phytosanitary risk for that territory, upon their request, where necessary, concerning the outbreaks in their territories of Union quarantine pests and pests subject to the measures adopted pursuant to Article 30 of Plant Health Regulation.