DEFRA’s plant health authorities have announced the resolution of IT problems that have been hindering the issue of quarantine release certificates (QRCs).

The following statement was made by the department on January 6: “Following Defra Plant Health’s suspension of their normal clearance procedures as a result of problems with their IT systems, we can now confirm that the IT problems which affected the issue of QRCs via the PEACH system have been resolved. Consequently, Defra Plant Health will revert to Customs clearance of Plant Health restricted consignments on presentation of QRCs only from 08:00 on Tuesday January 6, 2009. After this time Customs will no longer

accept phytosanitary certificates to clear plant-health restricted goods.”

The Fresh Produce Consortium has asked any traders affected by the system to failure to email angie@freshproduce.org.uk

Topics