Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1312 of 27 June 2023 establishing a derogation from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards the requirements for the introduction into the Union territory of oak logs with bark originating in the United States

This Regulation sets out specific measures for the introduction into the Union territory of oak (Quercus L.) wood, which has kept its natural round surface with bark attached, originating in the United States of America.

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: (1) ‘the specified wood’ means oak (Quercus L.) wood, which has kept its natural round surface with bark attached, intended for the production of veneer and originating in the United States of America; (2) ‘the specified pest’ means the pathogen Bretziella fagacearum (Bretz) Z.W. de Beer, Marincowitz, T.A. Duong & M.J. Wingfield, comb. nov.

By way of derogation from the requirements set out under ‘Special requirements’ in point 90 of Annex VII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, the specified wood may be introduced into the Union territory if the requirements laid down in Articles 4 and 5 of this Regulation, and the Annex thereto have been fulfilled.

1 The specified wood may only be shipped: (a) from the United States; and (b) in the period between 15 October and 10 April of the next year.

2 The specified wood may only be introduced into the Union territory: (a) during the year of the shipment or by 30 April of the following year, if the ship date occurs between 15 October and 31 December, or (b) by 30 April of the year of the shipment, if the ship date occurs between 1 January and 10 April.

The specified wood shall be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate indicating the following: (a) under the rubric ‘Place of origin’, the name and location of the place of harvest of the specified wood; (b) under the heading ‘Additional declaration’, the following statement: ‘This consignment complies with the European Union requirements laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1312’; (c) the fumigation batch identification mark referred to in point 7 of the Annex; (d) the log number(s) corresponding to each exported log of the specified wood; (e) the name of the licensed fumigation operative and the name and location of the fumigation site.

1 Documentary checks of the specified wood shall only be carried out at a border control post or at a control point other than a border control post designated for the category of goods in the consignment in accordance with Article 7 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2123. Physical and identity checks of the specified wood shall be carried out either at the border control posts where the documentary check took place or at a control point other than a border control post designated for the category of goods in the consignment in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2123 and where appropriate wet storage facilities are available.

2 The official controls shall include at least the following: (a) an examination of each phytosanitary certificate; and (b) an identity check consisting of comparing the marking on each log and the number of logs with the information given in the respective phytosanitary certificate.

3 Where identity or physical checks as mentioned in paragraph 1 are not carried out at the border control post of the port of arrival of the specified wood in the Union territory, the logs of the specified wood shall remain in the shipping containers and the containers shall remain closed and under customs supervision until those checks are carried out.

1 After unloading, the logs of the specified wood may only be stored at border control points or in places which have been designated as control points in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2123, where appropriate wet storage facilities are available and which have been approved for that purpose by the relevant competent authority, until processing takes place.

2 After unloading from the containers at the places referred to in paragraph 1, the logs of the specified wood shall immediately be processed or placed in continuous wet storage until the processing.

3 The competent authority shall perform physical checks in order to verify that the conditions for storage are in compliance with this Article.

1 The logs of the specified wood shall only be processed in places authorised for that purpose by the competent authorities, which can be: (a) the first place of storage, immediately after their arrival in the Union; or (b) other facilities at a later point.

2 Before further processing, the logs of the specified wood shall be subject to a hot water treatment, under the conditions suitable for wood intended for the production of veneer.

3 Any bark and other waste arising from unloading and processing of the logs of the specified wood shall immediately be destroyed by incineration in situ.

4 The competent authority shall perform physical checks in order to verify that the conditions for processing, and treatment of waste of the specified wood are in compliance with this Article.

5 The competent authority shall at appropriate intervals inspect any oak stands neighbouring the place of storage and processing for symptoms of the specified pest. If any symptoms, which may have been caused by the specified pest, are found, further official testing shall be carried out in accordance with appropriate methods to confirm whether the specified pest is present.

1 Prior to importation, the importer shall notify each consignment of the specified wood sufficiently in advance to the competent authority of the Member State of the first place of storage after arrival to the Union territory in the format laid down in Article 40(1), point (c), of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715.

2 The importer shall provide in the notification of the intended import for each consignment the following information: (a) quantity of logs; (b) port of shipment; (c) port or ports of unloading; (d) place or places of storage; (e) place or places where processing will be carried out.

3 Where an importer notifies the intended import of a consignment as referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the competent authority, prior to import, shall inform the importer of the requirements provided for in Articles 3 to 9.

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply until 30 September 2026.