Berlin – October 28, 2026 -- The European Union has formally asked Norway for a transition period of at least six months after publication of its final plant health rules. The request follows industry warnings that the draft could have significantly hampered EU nursery stock exports, according to the German Nursery Association (BdB).
Soil and substrate requirements threaten field-grown stock trade
The European Nurserystock Association (ENA) and its member associations reviewed Norway's planned changes to its plant health law. The draft is broadly closer to the European plant health system. However, new requirements for soil and growing media on plants for planting would have affected large parts of the nursery trade.
Field-grown woody plants, which are typically traded with root balls, would have faced particular practical problems. Re-export of plants via other EU member states is also a central issue.
EU submission targets re-export and certification
In its response to the Norwegian draft, the EU calls for recognition of the special conditions of the EU internal market for re-exports. It also wants the soil and substrate requirements adapted for plants from EU member states.
On phytosanitary certification, the EU argues that its existing system of harmonised plant health rules, plant passports and pre-export certificates already provides the necessary guarantees and traceability. It describes this system as the only practical approach for facilitating electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhyto).
BdB credits pan-European lobbying
BdB Managing Director Markus Guhl said the outcome shows the value of coordinated European representation. He added that member companies need established trade routes preserved without extra bureaucracy.
The BdB will follow the process with its European partner associations within the ENA.