Plant Health - England, United Kingdom - Animal and Plant Health Agency

Animal and Plant Health Agency

Verified Company

England, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

The work of the Plant Health and Seed Inspectorate (PHSI) within Defra's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is to maintain and promote a high plant health status in England and Wales, thereby contributing to APHA's overall strategy of safeguarding animal and plant health status in England and Wales.

In doing so, contributing to APHA's overall strategy of safeguarding animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment, and the economy.

The aims are achieved by excluding, containing, or eradicating quarantine plant pests, regulating other plant pests to secure high quality planting material, and facilitating trade through the provision of plant health certification services.

PHSI works to Defra's strategy to "provide a better place for living" through the exclusion, eradication and containment of quarantine pest and disease and informing / training the general public, stakeholders, government, and non
- government bodies in plant biosecurity. Inspections on fresh produce in relation to marketing standards will also be conducted in addition to the Plant Health controls.

Please access the link to see a day in the life of an inspector

Job description

Reporting to a Higher Executive Officer (HEO), to plan and undertake a programme of tasks, working independently and/or as part of a team.

The range of duties will be dependent on the working region, training, competence and statutory requirements, but may include:
Under HEO direction, organise emergency measures to control outbreaks of specified quarantine and non
- indigenous pests and diseases in areas of proven competency

Crop surveys and soil sampling in connection with regulations made to prevent the spread of dangerous plant pests and diseases

Under HEO direction certify for export plants and planting material after examination in accordance with the importing country's requirements, including advice to exporters on the requirements

Inspection of certain agricultural and horticultural crops in connection with statutory and domestic plant health certification/classification schemes and marketing standard regulations

Under HEO direction perform the statutory duties relating to regulations made under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964, including field inspections and enforcement checks on the activities of seed firms and seed samplers

Undertake additional specialised duties including delivering work directly to and on behalf of Business Improvement Groups

Complete administrative duties as required in accordance with standard operating procedures and agency guidelines and time frames

Statutory inspection of fresh Horticultural produce, imported plants, planting material and plant produce to ensure compliance with import regulations

Enforce the marketing standards and grading rules for fresh produce in England and Wales to ensure traders meet their statutory responsibilities

Conduct inspections and support heightened enforcement action against non-compliant traders including the possible collection and collation of evidence required for any criminal investigations where necessary

In addition to physical inspection procedures, ensure that documents accompanying imported material are satisfactory and in accord with phytosanitary measures and the standards required for the marketing of fresh horticultural produce

Collect samples and enforce olive oil standards, collect official market data and seize samples for Government pesticide residue testing

Certify for export produce, plants, seeds, grain, machinery and ware potatoes after examination in accordance with the importing country's requirements, including issue of phytosanitary certificates and HMI produce conformity certificates for fresh Horticultural produce and advice to exporters on the requirements

Perform the statutory duties relating to regulations made under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964 including the field inspection of certain crops and the sampling of certain classes of seed and enforcement checks on the activities of seed firms and seed samplers

Liaise closely with various regulatory bodies such as Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, UK Border Agency, Port Health and Animal Health authorities

To assist management in other tasks or duties they have experience in or have been trained on which when undertaken can further their personal development as per agreement in their Performance Management Review (PMR) with a time limit to enhance prospects of career progression

The PHSI offers a 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week level of service to the trade for import & export certification & biosecurity checks.

Depending on location you may be required to work in a shift pattern. This pattern can be early morning or a late evening shift and can span over weekends and public holidays.

We are looking to implement a 4 day on 4 day off shift pattern. The hours this will cover will vary by each BCP but can be up to 24 hour cover. The minimum shift allowan