Implementation of Defra’s PEACH system for the import of plant-health controlled goods will not go ahead until after Easter following talks between the Fresh Produce Consortium and Defra officials at the highest level.
The ongoing dialogue between the two organisations on the requirement to Customs-clear imports of plant-health controlled goods by use of the Quarantine Release Certificate (QRC) has been key in ensuring the next major trading peak will not be disrupted by the new implementation.
“We need a significant period of stability within the PEACH/e_Domero IT environment before making use of the QRC to Customs- clear imports of plant-health controlled goods a mandatory requirement,” Defra told the FPC. “ As a consequence, and having due regard to the volume of trade for Valentine’s Day Mothers Day and Easter, the requirement to Customs-clear imports of plant health controlled goods by use of the Quarantine Release Certificate will not come into force until 25 March 2008 at the earliest.
“It is hoped that the facility to print out QRC's will be available to the trade well before this date so that they can become used to the procedure.
“Further announcements about when the use of the QRC will become compulsory will be made as soon as possible.”
FPC chief executive Nigel Jenney has been leading negotiations on behalf of the trade. “On behalf of the industry, we were looking to remove the uncertainty,” said Jenney. “We have spent a huge amount of time on this, and I think it is important the industry understands the impact we have been able to achieve. The PEACH system is not sufficiently robust yet and we have managed to get Defra to agree to launch after the key periods for the trade. The department has also accepted that it has major issues to resolve.”
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