The ‘go live’ date for the rollout of the changes to the PEACH system has been confirmed as October 2, 2007.

From this date advance notification, via PEACH, of all plant health imports will be mandatory.

Further changes take place on October 30, says the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI), which has organised two training sessions specifically aimed at those with little or no existing knowledge of PEACH. The sessions will be held at Reading on September 10 and in Crewe on the September 13.

They are scheduled to take place during the morning but there is the possibility of afternoon sessions if sufficient demand exists. Those interested in attending a training session should email karen.piper@defra.gsi.gov.uk by August 24.