This order establishes the regulatory framework for the import and export of plants and plant products to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases within Great Britain. The document is issued by Her Majesty's Stationery Office on behalf of the British government, providing the legal mandates required for border control and phytosanitary certification. It serves as a foundational instrument for agricultural biosecurity, outlining the specific prohibitions and licensing requirements for commercial plant movement.

Legal professionals and agricultural regulators view this document as a primary source for understanding the historical development of British plant health policy. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is characteristic of statutory instruments from this period.