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Plant Passports
What are they and why are they important?
A few years ago the EU passed a law that came into play at the end of 2019 that all plants had to carry a Plant Passport (PP)
The Plant Passport was to be a sticker or label that accompanied every plant sold in the EU from supplier to end user and would be on any relevant paper work.
The aim was to set up a system where any diseased plants could be quickly traced back to the Supplier. The result would hopefully remove the threat of dangerous diseases from around the globe threatening native European species. The most famous of these in recent years has been the dreaded ‘Sudden Oak Death’ which has been responsible for the devastation of Olive groves in Southern Italy.
The impact on the Horticultural Industry was immense as the processes and paperwork involved to set this up were complicated, conflicting and confusing.
Every plant bought in a Garden Centre or online must have a PP. All plants sold to Landscapers should have a Plant Passport. Florists, Market Stall holders, Super Markets all need to be able to show that they have records of the PP details of the plants they sell.
Although the PP legislation is a real inconvenience to the Industry it is a good law. Even though Great Britain has left the EU, the legislation is with us to stay.
The Industry had a 12 month period to get ready which ended on December 31st 2020.
What are Love Tillys doing about Plant Passports?
Because of our trade business Key Essentials Ltd which supplies retailers with Air Plants, Cacti and Succulents we have been registered as a Professional supplier for many years. All our Garden Centre orders have been carrying PP’s for 12 months. Now all our online orders are now included in the scheme.
Why are they relevant to Love Tillys Customers
To issue a PP the supplier has to register with the Plant Health Authorities as a Professional Plant Supplier. Therefore, a PP automatically means that the Supplier has some level of credibility and professionalism.
If your plants come with a PP you have confidence that the supply chain is tracked and that the plants come from professional growers and suppliers.
Now if you are buying from a Garden Centre, you probably have that confidence already. What about online sales. Anyone may set up and sell plants on a portal such as Amazon, Ebay and Etsy without any Horticultural knowledge or following any of the Industry standards. It is online sales that the Plant Health Authority need to and will be focusing on.
Plant Passports are a frustrating nuisance. However, they are good for the security of our biodiversity and good for our Customers peace of mind.