We understand that DEFRA has now begun to issue invoices for plant health inspections.

Invoicing is backdated to April 20, 2005, when the charging regime was introduced.

Each invoice identifies three charges for each consignment: for inspection, document check and identity check.

In certain circumstances, for larger consignments further inspection fees will occur in line with the legislation, e.g. in the case of fruit and vegetables, for consignments above 25,000kg. These additional fees will be shown separately.

All consignments of plant health-controlled products are subject to documentary and identity checks. The fee for a documentary check is £5.29 per consignment. The fee for an identity check is also £5.29 for a consignment up to the size of a container or truckload. Larger consignments attract a fee of £10.58. Every consignment of plant health-controlled products will be subject to inspection fees, whether or not one takes place.

Plant health-controlled products include (among others): apples, pears, citrus, mangoes, passion fruit, peaches and nectarines, apricots, cherries, blueberries, potatoes, aubergines, sweet basil, roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, gypsophila.

As a result of the backdating to April 20, and the identification of each charge on each consignment, some importers last week received substantial stacks of paper. We recommend that when you receive an invoice you check the consignment entry numbers and the charges applied very carefully. Please refer to the Re:fresh Handbook, FPC Newsletter 24/03/05 or the DEFRA website www.defra.gov.uk for a schedule of charging.

We understand the invoices will be accompanied by a covering letter of explanation from DEFRA. If you have any comments please contact the FPC.