All imports of American white and red oak will have to undergo Forestry Commission inspections from December 1.
The Commission, which until now has carried out documentation checks and only a few physical inspections, is making the move to comply with European Community import regulations.
The oak species has to be inspected at UK ports because of the spread of phytophthora ramorum, or “sudden oak death” in the US.
But Roddy Burgess, head of plant health at the commission, moved to reassure importers by saying he did not expect the flow of trade to be held up by the new regime.
He said the Commisson would boost its number of inspectors to be able to check the 300 or so containers of US oak imported to Britain every month.
“There is no question of our inspectors holding stuff up unless we have to.”
