What is a common requirement for exporting plants and plant products?

The correct answer is a phytosanitary certificate because this document is crucial in international trade of plants and plant products. It serves as an official declaration from the exporting country's national plant protection organization (NPPO) that the plants, plant products, or other regulated articles conform to the phytosanitary regulations of the importing country. This certificate indicates that the plants are free from specified pests and diseases and meet the import requirements, thus facilitating smooth trade and ensuring that pests do not spread across borders.

A phytosanitary certificate plays a significant role in protecting both agricultural health and biodiversity, as it assists in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species. Importing countries typically require this certificate as a condition for allowing entry and avoiding potential agricultural harm.

While the other options might represent important practices in agricultural or trade contexts, they do not serve as a formal requirement for exporting plants and plant products in the way a phytosanitary certificate does. Registration with local authorities can pertain to various regulatory requirements but doesn’t specifically address the phytosanitary concerns of exporting. Pest control before shipment is a good practice, but it is often inherent to the process of obtaining a phytosanitary certificate rather than a standalone requirement. Likewise, a health insurance policy is unrelated to the export of