What does the term "phytosanitary certificate" refer to?

The term "phytosanitary certificate" refers specifically to a document certifying that a shipment of plants or plant products is free from certain specified pests and diseases, as per the requirements of the importing country. This certificate is a crucial part of international trade in agricultural products, as it provides assurance that the items being imported will not contribute to pest and disease outbreaks in the new environment.

Phytosanitary certificates are typically issued by the relevant agricultural authority or government body in the exporting country. These certificates can be critical for compliance with regulations while facilitating trade and protecting the agricultural economy from potential threats that pests and diseases pose.

The other options relate to different concepts. A document for soil quality inspection focuses on soil health rather than plant health, a license for selling agricultural products pertains to business operation rather than pest control, and a report on the economic impact of pest control deals with economic analysis rather than plant health certification. Thus, option C accurately captures the primary function and importance of a phytosanitary certificate in the context of plant health and international trade.