Travellers told not to import plants
Swiss holidaymakers should resist the temptation to bring home exotic plants with the idea of planting them in their gardens, experts have warned.
The Plant Protection Inspectorate of the Agroscope research institute reminded travellers in a statement on Tuesday that to prevent the spread of disease and pests, the import of many plants is either banned or restricted.
If banned plants are discovered in a passenger’s luggage when checked at customs, they are destroyed.
Other plants may not be imported because they are on the internationally recognised list of endangered species.
The experts advise garden enthusiasts to check on the legal situation before they go on holiday – or to buy a pot as a souvenir and put a Swiss plant in it when they get home.
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