Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) peer Lord Tom Elliott of Ballinamallard has said he has concerns that the enforcement of requirements for the movement of agricultural and forestry machinery due to begin next Monday, June 23, will significantly impact on traders and as well as those purchasing such machinery for their own use.
All movements of used agricultural and forestry machinery require either a phytosanitary certificate or NI Plant Health Label (NIPHL).
Traders can move used agricultural and forestry machinery and vehicles to Northern Ireland under the NIPHL scheme, if the goods are intended to stay in Northern Ireland.
Where the machinery or vehicles move to Northern Ireland for onward sale to the Republic of Ireland or other EU countries, full Official Controls Regulations (OCR) apply, and a phytosanitary certificate is required.
When the machinery and vehicles remain in Northern Ireland, the Movement Assistance Scheme waives costs associated with phytosanitary certification and NIPHL.
The NIPHL differs from the phytosanitary certificate in that it is issued and applied by the authorised operator.
Rather than applying for a phytosanitary certificate for each consignment, operators can become authorised with their relevant competent authority to issue and attach NIPHLs themselves.
Lord Elliott said: “We’ve had this difficulty some time ago, however some common sense was invoked into the situation.
“However DEFRA [Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs] have issued the following warning of the Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL) – ‘Full enforcement of these requirements will commence on Monday 23, June 2025 at 00.01. Failure to comply could result in consignments being denied entry into Northern Ireland and returned to Great Britain‘.”
“While the NIPHL scheme involves simplified processes compared to the issuing of phytosanitary certificates, once registered and authorised, it enables you to self certify that machinery is clean and will remain in Northern Ireland without the need for an official phytosanitary inspection.”
The UUP member said that in theory, this should make it quicker and easier to move machinery destined to remain in Northern Ireland.
“However, as many are aware, the outworkings in practice aren’t always what it set out to be,” he continued.
“Consignments can still be selected for inspection, but the DEFRA statement doesn’t indicate how many or what percentage will be required for inspection.
“I would ask all involved including DAERA [ Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs] to have a practical common-sense approach to this matter, otherwise the bureaucracy and impediments of those bringing such machinery into NI from GB will not be worthwhile for them or their business.”
