Plant Passport

The Plant Health Directive 2000 / 29 / EG / Plant passport inspections

Since 1993, plant passports have been required within the European Union (EU) (Plant Health Directive 2000/29/EG).  The propagating material of many crops must be accompanied by a plant passport. This official document is required so that consignments (lot) of cuttings, seeds, young plants or trees can be declared free of harmful organisms and can therefore be traded within the member states of the EU. In the Netherlands the new Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is responsible for issuing plant passports. The NVWA has mandated Naktuinbouw to inspect and issue plant passport for the crops that are covered by the inspection tasks of Naktuinbouw. This basically means that one only inspector has to visit a company for all phytosanitary and quality inspections. Propagating material must be found to be completely free (zero-norm) of quarantine organisms.  

Guide

If certain conditions are complied with Naktuinbouw can authorise companies to issue and use ‘daily’ plant passports. This authorisation is established in an agreement. Issuing a plant passport is, of course, only possible provided the propagating material is found to be completely free of quarantine diseases.

To help companies, this website contains a guide to plant passporting for companies.

The NVWA manages the register of products that must be accompanied by a plant passport.

Colour label

If wished, a coloured label may also be attached to the plant. This label must state product information and a colour photograph of the plant, flower or fruit. This type of label can also act as a plant passport if that is a requirement according to the European Union. Coloured labels are often used for ornamental trees, ornamental shrubs and fruit crops.  

Click here for an overview of companies registered with Naktuinbouw Inspections.