Europe wants to close its external borders for plants
To prevent plant diseases from entering Europe, since the 1970s, import of plants have been subject to undertake risk-based checks. That approach has been thrown into doubt. In an agreement that the European Parliament is expected to adopt tomorrow, there is also the possibility for countries to draw up lists of plants and plant material that are not permitted to enter Europe without taking into account the impact of threat. This will result in opening the door for randomness and protectionism.
Huitema: “We should not frustrate the import, which enters Europe on a large scale through Dutch ports and airports. The measures which we want to adopt are disproportional to the risks. The idea that we can limit a disease or a pest from spreading by preventing plants coming from third countries into Europe is nonsense.”