DEFRA - Phyto Sanitary Certificates

Asparagus imports (Mexico) – Clarification regarding additional Declaration requirements

Following recent issues at the UK border please note confirmation of the phytosanitary requirements to facilitate imports from Mexico.

There have been no new requirements introduced regarding Additional Declaration (AD) 105A. This has been a mandatory declaration since December 2021 and must be included on Phytosanitary Certificates for all asparagus exports from the Americas to Great Britain, as outlined in Annex 7 of the relevant regulations. Similarly, AD 95—related to a different pest—has also been a requirement since October 2023. Both declarations are necessary and apply to all NPPOs exporting asparagus from the region.

It is the responsibility of the exporting NPPOs to ensure that the Phytosanitary Certificates they issue comply fully with GB’s import regulations. Due to multiple recent breaches of these requirements, a formal reminder was sent to all affected countries on 20 March 2025. In response to concerns raised by industry on 4 April, a grace period was granted, allowing countries until 14 April 2025 to ensure all certificates include the necessary declarations.

Further reminders have since been issued both directly and through diplomatic channels to the relevant NPPOs to reinforce compliance expectations.