1. By way of derogation from Article 40(1), Article 41(1), Article 42(2), Article 72(1) and Article 73, plants, plant products and other objects may be introduced into, and be passed through, the Union territory to a third country, either in the form of transit or transhipment (‘phytosanitary transit’), if they fulfil both of the following conditions:
(a)
they are accompanied by a signed declaration of the professional operator in control of those plants, plant products and other objects stating that those plants, plant products or other objects are in phytosanitary transit;
(b)
they are packed and moved in such a way that there is no risk of spreading of Union quarantine pests during their introduction into, and passing through, the Union territory.
2. Competent authorities shall prohibit phytosanitary transit if the plants, plant products or other objects concerned do not comply, or there is reasonable evidence that they will not comply, with paragraph 1.