672 



Importation of Rhododendrons. [Oct., 



If a consignment or package arriving in England and Wales is so certified 

 and labelled, it will be admitted without delay. If, however, it is not accom- 

 panied by the certificate it will be detained on arrival at the port of entry and 

 will not be delivered to the consignee until it has been examined and passed 

 by an Inspector of the Ministry. Should any consignment be found on 

 arrival to be diseased within the meaning of the Order, it will only be delivered 

 to the consignee after disinfection or other necessary treatment has been 

 carried out at the expense of the importer. If such disinfection or treatment 

 is not carried out, the consignment must either be destroyed or returned to the 

 country of export by the importer. It will be observed, therefore, that failure 

 to comply with the requirements of the Order will necessitate delay in delivery, 

 and may lead to refusal of entrv. 



Importation of Rhododendrons. — Some misunderstanding appears 

 to exist as to the effect of the new Orders issued by the Ministry, dealing 

 with the importation and sale of plants, &c. (The Destructive Insects and Pests 

 Order of 1921, and The Sale of Diseased Plants Order of 1921). Nurserymen 

 point out that the Rhododendron Fly. a pest serious on Rhododendrons in 

 certain countries, is scheduled under the Sale of Diseased Plants Order, and that 

 therefore they are prevented from selling in this country plants which are 

 substantially attacked by this pest. This is correct, but the conclusion has 

 been drawn that, since the pest is not scheduled under the Destructive Insects 

 and Pests Order of 1921, which relates to imported plants, Rhododendrons 

 badly attacked by the Fly will be allowed to enter the country freely. Such, 

 however, is not the case. 



A careful reading of the Destructive Insects and Pests Order of 1921 will 

 show that Rhododendrons sent to this country must be accompanied by a 

 Health Certificate, signed by an official of the country of origin, to the effect 

 that the plants are perfectly free from the pests mentioned in the Order, and 

 also that they are healthy." In paragraph 5 of the Third Schedule of the 

 Order, it is laid down that plants will not be deemed to be healthy " if 

 attacked by any of the pests mentioned in the Sale of Diseased Plants Order of 

 1921. It is therefore clear that the Health Certificate accompanying imported 

 plants goes very much farther than a Certificate of Freedom from the specific 

 pests mentioned in the Second Schedule to the Destructive Insects and Pests 

 Order, since it must also declare that the plants are healthy in general, and 

 particularly with regard to the pests mentioned in the Sale of Diseased Plants 

 Order. 



Printed under the authority of His Majesty's STATiC Ni::KY Officf, 

 By Metchim & Son,' Princes Street, Westminster, S.W.I. 



