A follow up consultative meeting on Invasive Species/Importation of Plant Products into the TCI took place on July 21, 2009 at the National Environmental Centre, Provdienciales, TCI.

1. A simplified flowchart on Importation of Plants products into the TCI was presented by Mr. Kenrick Kneely (Environmental Health Department). An application form (EH 057-07) is available from the Environmental Health Department offices. The EHD will also post all relevant Forms and documents in their website. The simplified procedure is as follows:

  Step 1. Submission of application for Import Permit. The applicant will submit the accomplished application for to EHD.

  Step 2. The EHD will review the application for Import Permit. At the discretion of EHD, DECR might be consulted to shed light about potential importation of invasive species.

  Step 3. Import permit is issued by the EHD to the applicant/importer/authorized agent. It may take 24 hours to process from Step 1 to Step 3.

  Step 4. Send Import permit to potential supplier. It is the responsibility of the importer/agent to send the Import Permit to the supplier. If the desired materials/plants are available, the supplier will apply for Phytosanitary Certificate from accredited entity, e.g USDA. A representative from the Agency that will issue Phytosanitary Certificate will inspect the plants and shall declare that the materials to be exported are free of quarantine pests and diseases.

  Step 5. Supplier send phytosanitary certificate and a copy of the Import Permit to EHD & shipping Companies. The Supplier sends Phytosanitary Certificate to EHD. EHD will issue GO SIGNAL to Shipping Companies to load the materials in appropriate Container van. Phytosanitary Certificate and Import Permit shall be sent to Shipping Companies.

  Step 6. Shipping Companies ships materials to the consignee. Shipping Companies see to it that all products in the shipment are listed in the Phytosanitary Certificate Original Phytosanitary Certificates, Import Permit and Customs Declaration should accompany the Shipment.

  Step 7 Arrival at TCI Point of Entry. The Customs Dept. & EHD shall check the required documents (Phytosanitary Certificate, Import permit & Customs Declaration) related to the imported materials. The Customs Department will conduct an independent checking following their standard operating procedures (SOP). Shipment without proper documents will be refused entry and shipped back to point of origin at the expense of the importer/consignee.

  Step 8. Unloading of imported materials at designated place. The container van is delivered from the Port to the designated place EHD check the imported materials. No materials will be unloaded unless EHD representative is present. Infested materials with pests and diseases will be destroyed &/or burned at the expense of the importer/ consignee.

While the Quarantine Facility at the Port of Entry is not yet in place and for practical reasons, rigid checking will be done at the final destination place. For time management purposes (schedule of checking at unloading place), the importer/consignee/agent shall notify the EHD (Mr. Kenrick Kneely 232-5094) or (Mr. Dexter Gordon 245-9556) in advance. The DECR can assist, but not required, if requested by the EHD during checking at unloading time.

2. The proposed List of Plants to be banned entry was presented by Mr. Marlon Hibbert (DECR). The list of plants with photos will be sent later for all concerned to give comments and suggestions. Several actions points were agreed upon, as follows:
  a. EHD (Mr. Kneely) will send all necessary Forms and EHD documents to all participants/concerned persons.
  b. DECR (Mr. Hibbert) will send the Proposed List of species to be banned, with photos, for all concern to give their comments/suggestions.
  c. EHD will meet in separate meeting with the Importers of vegetables and fruits, animal products and by-products.