The UK’s ISPM 15 phytosanitary standard initiative is proving a great success, according to Roddie Burgess, the Forestry Commission‘s head of plant health.
Mr Burgess, who moderates the International Forestry Quarantine Research Group electronic discussion board on ISPM 15, said: “We have had no notification from any trading partners of UK ISPM 15 pallets being rejected or quarantined for any reason.
“The only thing is that marking can be of poor quality on occasions and it is evident that branding is preferable to stamping.”
Mr Burgess said the marking system was working and added: “People should not be under any illusion that wrongly applied marks will be tolerated. Inspectors are authorised to enter premises and demand that poor marks are removed if necessary.”
