Importation of regulated plant, regulated plant product or regulated material
5.—(1) Subject to rule 5A, no person shall import any regulated plant, regulated plant product or regulated material except under a permit issued by the Director-General.
(2) The Director-General shall, in determining whether to issue a permit under paragraph (1), consider whether the applicant for the permit has complied with every relevant import health requirement and the requirements under paragraph (4).
(3) Every permit issued under this rule —
(a)
shall be valid only for the period specified therein and for the consignment in respect of which it has been issued; and
(b)
may be subject to such terms and conditions as the Director-General thinks fit to impose, which terms and conditions shall be endorsed on the permit.
(4) Subject to rule 5A, any person who imports any consignment of regulated plants, regulated plant products or regulated materials shall ensure that there is, in respect of that consignment —
(a)
a phytosanitary certificate; or
(b)
such other certificate or document or mark issued by or authorised to be issued by a competent government agency in the country of despatch, being an agency which is recognised by the Director-General, in such form and issued in such manner as may be required under any import health requirement.
(5) The phytosanitary certificate referred to in paragraph (4)(a) shall be issued not more than 14 days prior to the date of shipment of the consignment by a competent government agency or some other agricultural authority, of the country of despatch, being an agency or authority which is recognised by the Director-General.
(6) The phytosanitary certificate or other certificate or document or mark required under paragraph (4) shall certify that every relevant import health requirement has been complied with.