By way of derogation from the prohibition established under Ministerial Decree of 31 January 1996 and subsequent amendments, plants of Chamaecyparis Spach, Juniperus L. and Pinus L., originating in Japan may be imported into the Italian territory within the periods indicated in article 1 hereto. However, the importation shall be subject to prior authorization by the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policies to be issued upon request. Article 4 describes the content of such request. Moreover, prior to exportation from Japan, the competent Japanese authorities shall carry out checks on the plants concerned in order to guarantee the fulfillment with special requirements, particularly the absence of the harmful organisms referred to in article 2, paragraph 3. The plants are to be accompanied by a sanitary certificate providing the information prescribed by article 3. Artificially dwarfed plants shall be subject to quarantine measures to be implemented by the competent regional phytosanitary services as per article 5.