Did You Know Plants Also Need Passports to Travel?

As the European holiday season kicks off, passport become increasingly important for many people looking forward to overseas vacations. Just like us, plants and seeds also need travel documents to cross borders. These are used to confirm that they are free of pests and do not need to be quarantined.

Within the EU, specific plant health rules cover movement and trade of plants and seeds. Plant passports are issued to ensure free passage to their intended destinations [1]. 

The supply of seeds that are free of pests, diseases and weeds is essential for producing healthy food and feed. This important international trade is made possible by the highest standards of hygiene, pest control and confirmatory laboratory testing.

[1] Trade in plants and plant products within the EU (European Commission)