UNITED KINGDOM

Capital: London
Population:  60,609,000
Currency: Pound sterling
Official Language(s): English

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLS)

    Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

      As a member of the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom applies Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) as established by the EU as well as setting its own standards for chemicals not registered by the EU.

      Regulations relating to MRLs are available online at UK MRLs.

    B. Monitoring chemical residues:

      The UK actively monitors pesticide residue levels but there is little, if any, regular monitoring of additives.

    C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

      The European Union (EU) permits the use of white beeswax, yellow beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax and shellac on apples and pears (EC directive 95/2/EC).

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

Please see discussion under Organic Fruit Regulations in the European Union chapter of this manual.  Note that organic exports to the UK must meet new requirements that prohibit the use of gibberellic acid (GA) and antibiotics.

IV. TARIFFS

    As a member of the European Union (EU), The United Kingdom imposes the EU's tariff schedule and entry price system on apple, pear and cherry imports. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

    A. Labeling requirements:

      The Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate (HMI) of the United Kingdom has announced that effective September 11, 2006 it will begin enforcement actions on violations of the European Union’s labeling requirements.

      The following information should be printed on the carton end panel.

      1. Identification – The name and address of the packer and/or shipper.  HMI indicated that current industry practice of printing the city, state and zip code of the packer and/or shipper is considered a minimum requirement.  Industry was urged to also include the street address on the carton.

      2. Nature of produce – Product name if the contents are not visible from the outside.  The name of the variety is also required for apples and pears.  It is optional for cherries.

      3. Origin of produce – Country of origin.

      4. Commercial specifications – The quality may be indicated by specifying Category 1, Cat. 1, Class 1 or Class I or Category/Cat./Class 2 or II as appropriate.  Given the possibility that other EU member countries may interpret the regulation in a different manner the NHC recommends that industry print Class I (or other appropriate Class) on each carton.  The size, or for fruit packed in layers the numbers of units, must also be specified.

      EU labeling requirements apply. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.

    B. Licenses and quotas:

      EU licensing/quota regulations, if any, apply. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.

    C. Currency Issues:

      None.

    D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

      A new European Union Plant Health directive became effective January 1, 2005.  This directive requires EU member countries to inspect 100% of imported consignments of fresh plant products upon arrival unless the consignments qualify for reduced inspection levels.

      100% of the pear consignments imported from the U.S. must be inspected.  

      35% of the U.S. cherry consignments must be inspected.  Each EU Member State may inspect between 35 and 100 percent of cherry consignments imported from the U.S.

      15% of the U.S. apple consignments must be inspected.  Each EU Member State may inspect between 15 and 100 percent of the apple consignments imported from the U.S.

      Since June 1, 1993, there have been harmonized EU-wide plant health regulations in place. Please refer to the EU chapter for specific restrictions which apply to all EU member countries.

E.  Other trade restrictions:

Apples, pears and cherries are subject to European Community Marketing Standards.  They are required to have a valid certificate of conformity prior to release into trade.  The UK has established a system (called PEACH) to enable importers to notify inspection authorities of shipment arrival.  More information is available online at:  http://ehmipeach.defra.gov.uk

Please refer to the EU chapter for information on solid wood packing material regulations.

VI. SUBSIDIES

The UK government does not provide direct subsidies to growers.  However, as a member of the EU, the UK does participate to a limited degree in market intervention programs.

VII.  MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY

Washington Apple Commission:

George Smith
Hertfordshire, UK
Voice:  011-44-1707-862074
Fax:     011-44-1707-226176
E-mail:  wac@midsummermarketing.com

Northwest Cherry Growers/Washington State Fruit Commission:

George Smith
Midsummer Marketing
Hertfordshire, UK
Voice:   011 44 1707 226577
Fax:      011 44 1707 226176
E-mail:  george@midsummermarketing.com

Pear Bureau Northwest:

Andrew Brown
Surrey, ENGLAND
Voice:   011 44-1-483-416136
Fax:      011 44-1-483-426662
E-mail: 106624.3376@compuserve.com

VIII.  OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental: 

United States:

United Kingdom:

Private:

IX.  ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office - United Kingdom 

105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, Washington 98901, USA
Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615

E-mail general@nwhort.org