Christmas trees this year.

Agriculture & Fisheries Director John Barnes told The Gazette that the Department was offering a pre-inspection service to local businesses wishing to import trees.

In the past, trees only needed to be fumigated at their place of origin.

But because of problems last Christmas, where some fumigated trees still carried live pine tree scale and had to be destroyed, the department decided to change its methodology.

Now Department staff will be available to inspect trees for pests in their country of origin. The costs of the exercise will be split between the importer and the Department.

Mr. Barnes explained that some importers have been bringing in trees for decades without ever having a problem whilst others, perhaps dealing with less diligent suppliers, have been sold trees which are infested.

Mr. Barnes said that local importers have welcomed the changes as they will have to be less concerned about possible revenue losses from trees having to be destroyed.