Information for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events

Import of Feed and Bedding Material of Plant Origin

Control of import

The Plant (Importation and Pest Control) Ordinance Cap. 207 regulates the import of plants to Hong Kong. Through the control on import of plant, plant pests and soil, the ordinance aims at preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases with a view to protect local agricultural production, native plant and the ecology.

Plant is defined in the ordinance as timber, trees and shrubs; and leaves, roots, flowers, fruit, tubers, bulbs, corms, stocks, cuttings, layers, slips, suckers, seeds, and any part of a plant, whether or not intended for growing, planting or propagation or from which further plants may be grown, planted or propagated.

A Plant Import Licence issued by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and a valid Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the plant protection authority of exporting country are required for plants importing into Hong Kong. No person shall import any plant pest or soil unless an authorization is obtained from the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Plant Import Licence or Phytosanitary Certificate is not required for the import of grains, pulses, seeds and spices for animal consumption, and plants produced in and imported from any place in China outside Hong Kong.

Hay for horse feed or bedding material

A Plant Import Licence issued by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and a valid Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the plant protection authority of exporting country are required for import of hay for horse feed or bedding material. Plant Import Licence or Phytosanitary Certificate is not required for hay produced in and imported from any place in China outside Hong Kong.

Seeds such as oat, barley, wheat, sunflower seed and corn seed

Plant Import Licence or Phytosanitary Certificate is not required for grains, pulses, seeds and spices imported for horse consumption.

Compound feed containing plant material such as feed additive, pellets

Plant Import Licence or Phytosanitary Certificate is generally not required for import of these manufactured products. However, the package, tools for conveyance and the compound feed should be free of plant pests and diseases.

Application procedures

Application can be made by (a) submitting electronic form or (b) in person or by post: complete the Form of Application for Plant Import Licence and submit it together with information of the feed and bedding material, for example, product information provided by the manufacturer, to the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Application form is obtainable from the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department or through interactive telephone number (852) 2708 8885.

Application should be made in advance for the import of feed and bedding material of plant origin. Import should only take place after the issue of a Plant Import Licence. A Plant Import Licence is valid for two months and can be used for one import only. Application and issuance of a Plant Import Licence are free-of-charge.

If the application is found to be in order and the required supporting information is provided, a Plant Import Licence will normally be issued after 2 working days from receipt of the application. To facilitate the processing of application, if feed and bedding material of plant origin are imported from manufacturer not previously exported to Hong Kong, importer may first import samples for inspection by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

The Plant Import Licence can be collected in person or by a person authorized by the applicant. It can be mailed to the applicant by ordinary post upon a request is made to the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Please also refer to the "Plant Import Licence - Guide for Applicant" for further information.

The official shipping agent of 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events is able to make arrangement for all participating teams.