Stewart Robert Hinsley scribbled:

The following DEFRA page is not crystal clear, but states that the
import of most (flower) seeds is unrestricted.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/travel.htm

No it doesn't. It is quite clear.


Travellers! Plants brought back from abroad could carry serious pests and
diseases
In order to safeguard plant health in Britain, there are statutory controls
on importing plants and plant products (such as flowers and fruits) into
this country. Full details are obtainable from the Plant Health Division of
the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (see contact details
below).


Broadly speaking, plants and plant products are divided into one of the
following categories, according to their risk of spreading plant pests and
diseases:


Prohibited - These pose such a serious risk that you must not import them.
Many species of rooted plants from outside Europe fall into this category.

Unrestricted - These present little or no risk and you do not have to comply
with any plant health controls if you wish to import them. This category
includes nearly all flower seeds, most cut flowers and most vegetables for
eating (except potatoes).

Controlled - These must normally be certified as healthy by the plant
protection service of the exporting country. Rooted plants which are not
prohibited and most fruits come into this category. It also includes
sunflower seeds and cut flowers of chrysanthemum, carnation and geranium
imported from outside the European Community. There are, however,
concessions for travellers which allow you to bring small quantities of
controlled plant material into Britain without certificates providing they
a

in your personal baggage
intended for your own use and not intended for use in the course of trade or
business
free from signs of pests and diseases
Providing these conditions are satisfied, you may import plants and/or plant
products up to the limits set out below. These vary according to the part of
the world from which you are travelling.



European Community (EC) countries - These are Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands,
Portugal (including Madeira), Sweden, the Republic of Ireland and Spain (but
not the Canary Islands).

You may bring back any plant material, providing it was grown in the EC.


Non-EC countries in the Euro-Mediterranean area - These include Algeria, the
Canary Islands, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta,
Morocco, Norway, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

You may bring back no more than:

five plants and
2 kg of bulbs, corms, tubers (but not potatoes) and rhizomes and
2 kg of fruit and
cut flowers and foliage together forming a single bouquet and
five retail packets of seeds (but not seeds of potatoes)

Any other countries
You may bring back no more than:

2 kg of fruit and
cut flowers and foliage together forming a single bouquet and
five retail packets of seeds (but not seeds of potatoes)
If you wish to import more than these amounts, you will require
phytosanitary (i.e. plant health) certificates issued by the plant
protection service of the exporting country.

Remember
HM Customs and Excise will confiscate plants and plant produce which
contravene the controls outlined above


Now what part of that didn't you understand

Steve R



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