HomeTo make the trade of plants within the EU and between the EU and other countries outside the union, the members of the EU have the same laws concerning plant protection. In Sweden it's the board of agriculture and the plant inspection keeping the responsability for an official check up of that the rules are being followed. (the board of agriculture).
An import of plants is in most cases heavily regulated, especially concerning commercial shipments. There may be rules saying that a permit is needed for the export as well as for the import. Some species are prohibited to export at all. An exemption is artificially propagated orchids. These do however need a phytosanity certificate.
IPPC acts in order to prevent the spread of diseases (pests). IPPC also encourage that products are treated correct, with inspection of plant material etc.
All plants taken in to a country being a member of the European Union, must have phytosanity certificates that are no more than 14 days old. Some plants are not allowed to import from certain areas of the world at all. There are naturally exceptions to this, as plants may be imported without certificates for the use of them in scientific studies (they do however need other certificates).
The Swedish plant inspection checks the phytosanity certificate and does a plant protection control of plants and plantproducts at the Swedish boarder. For this to work efficiently the arrival of the plants or plant-products must be reported to the customs in advance. The plant inspection must be contacted. An import costs at least 250kr.
/ from the board of agriculture, website (2004).
To import wild plants to Sweden, a special permit is needed (an application costs ca. 300kr., talk to the board of agriculture).
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