Consultation on proposals to amend the Plant Health (Fees) (Forestry) Regulations 2006

Overview

This is a consultation by the Forestry Commission on proposed changes to the Plant Health (Fees) (Forestry) Regulations 2006 (as amended).  The changes to the fees are proposed to ensure that we continue to fully recover the cost of providing the inspection service for imported controlled timber products. The fees were last increased in September 2010 and this proposed increase takes into account the continued down-turn in the importation of controlled timber consignments from certain third countries.  This is further explained in the Consultation Paper linked below. 

The consultation package consists of (a) this overview (b) a Consultation Paper and (c) a Business Engagement Assessment, the links for which can be found below.  

I would be grateful for your and/or your clients’ comments, if you are a shipping, freight forwarding or Customs agent, on the fees consultation paper or the Business Engagement Assessment.   Please send them to me at the address above right by 8 November 2013 at the latest, or earlier if possible. 

In line with the Forestry Commission’s policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive may be made publicly available through the Forestry Commission, Plant Health Service, Silvan House, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 7AT.   The information that they contain will also be published in a summary of responses.

If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially.  Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request.   You should be aware that there may be circumstances in which the Forestry Commission will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.  

The Forestry Commission’s Plant Health Service will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or e-mail requests (Tel: 0131-314-6214, email plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk).  Wherever possible personal callers should give the Plant Health Service at least 24 hours notice of their requirements.  An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.

Should you have any comments or complaints about the consultation process (as to comments about the issues which are the subject of consultation) they should be addressed to our consultation co-ordinator Fiona Alexander either by post to the address above or by email to fiona.alexander@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or by telephone 0131-314-6503.