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Plant Health Propagation Scheme (PHPS)
This is a voluntary scheme which aims to promote the production and use of healthy, proven planting stock for soft fruit (strawberries, berry fruit and currants), top fruit (apples, pears, cherries and plums) and hops.
Purpose of the Scheme
The PHPS aims to provide commercial growers with planting material descended from stock that is proven both in terms of health and vigour.
What are the advantages of buying PHPS material?
Material certified under the Scheme is issued with a certificate endorsing its health status and, if appropriate, its trueness to variety (see 'Grades' below). We cannot guarantee that every plant certified under the PHPS will be completely free from pests or diseases - no practical, cost effective certification scheme can do that - but PHPS plants are grown under strict conditions which provide valuable plant health assurances.
How does the PHPS work?
Material entered into the Scheme must be of known lineage, except that entered at the very lowest grade. All material must be grown under specific conditions with regard to site and isolation from other crops. During the course of the year, the crop is inspected at least once by a local Fera Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI). The frequency and timing of inspections vary and are set out in the special conditions leaflets, as are levels of tolerances for the different diseases. Assessments are normally made on the basis of visual examinations, but samples may be taken for laboratory analysis in order to provide a definitive diagnosis.
Grades
Crops are entered to produce a specific grade and will normally be certified in that grade if all the conditions of the scheme are met. These grades are normally inspected for trueness to type i.e. for conformity with varietal and clonal characteristics (except bulbs). Where this is not possible, a Nominal (N) grade may be available.
The main grades are:
- Foundation
- Super Elite
- Elite
- A
- Approved Health
The Approved Health (AH) grade is available for some stocks of untested or unknown pedigree. Stocks are inspected for health and vigour only, but they must meet similar conditions in terms of freedom from pests and diseases. The other main difference is plants are approved rather than certified, although the documentation issued to growers is similar to that for pedigree grades.
Scheme Conditions
There are minimum husbandry standards which are generally applicable, such as the need for control of weeds, pests and diseases, and specific conditions for the type of crop, for example on isolation distances and particular pests and diseases.
Eligible Material
In addition to the categories described above, rootstocks and ornamental varieties associated with top fruit may be submitted for certification. Material from other countries is eligible provided it meets equivalent standards to the Scheme. A table is available indicating equivalence of top fruit certified in other countries. Further tables are available showing the equivalence of certified strawberry material and certified Rubus material from The Netherlands. For details about other crops please contact your local inspector.
Who can enter crops?
Any grower in England and Wales who can meet both the general conditions for entry and the specific conditions for the crop concerned. Your local inspector can supply copies of the special conditions leaflets and application forms, and will be happy to advise you about the Scheme. New growers in particular may wish to consult their local inspector before entering crops into the Scheme.
Where do I obtain certified material?
A Record of PHPS stocks certified in 2011 is available to download. Alternatively please contact your local PHSI for details of growers of certified stocks.