The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) have jointly urged the UK government to take swift action following an October 4 roundtable on issues affecting plants, cut flowers, and border logistics.
In their letter, the HTA and FPC stress the crucial contributions of the horticulture and fresh produce sectors to the UK’s economy, food security, and environmental sustainability. They cite significant barriers facing the trade of fresh produce like fruits and vegetables and non-edible plants, including cut flowers, trees, bulbs, and seeds. Issues such as rising logistics costs, damaged goods, delays, waste, and complex paperwork are threatening industry growth and future investments.
The HTA highlights the negative impacts these challenges are having on the UK’s business reputation, causing strain on business relationships and diminishing confidence in border processes. These issues, the HTA states, threaten the country’s food security, hamper progress toward environmental goals, and limit consumer choices.
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at HTA, commented, “We are urging policymakers to work closely with the HTA and FPC, listen to our members, and take immediate action to protect UK horticulture. Our industries are under immense pressure from rising costs, supply chain issues, and regulatory shifts. While our sectors face unique challenges, we share a common goal of achieving frictionless border trade. There is an urgent need for oversight across all trade policies—whether for trade with Northern Ireland, changes to GB Plant Passports, or CITES regulations. If these policies aren’t well-coordinated, we risk higher costs, more border friction, and damage to the UK’s competitiveness, which ultimately hampers growth and impacts consumers directly.” She emphasized the HTA’s commitment to working with the government to address these concerns.
Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, criticized the UK’s current border strategy, stating, “The border strategy imposed by the previous government is failing with no clear improvement in sight. We need a secure and cost-effective border system that serves both industry and consumers. For years, our sector has invested in self-funded border solutions, but the previous government’s policies have put a crucial industry at risk.”
The HTA and FPC are jointly requesting the following ten actions to address border-related issues:
1. A summit involving government ministers and industry representatives to devise a rapid, solution-oriented action plan.
2. Enhanced government oversight of policies affecting UK horticulture and fresh produce, with a focus on economic growth; resources for Defra’s border team should be restored.
3. A reset in UK-EU relations, with an SPS/plant health agreement grounded in mutual recognition while preserving the UK’s border approach.
4. Removal of Control Point (CP) barriers by ensuring after-hours inspector availability, adhering to a 4-hour service agreement at Border Control Points (BCPs), rolling out “trusted trader” status, and creating a POD+ system for businesses.
5. Reevaluation of UK commodity risk classification, especially for high-risk plant products, cut flowers, and seeds.
6. Improved communication and trading system access, including broader access to IPAFFS, publicized border data, inspection rate disclosures, real-time alerts, and a better plant health alert system.
7. Strengthened pest and disease testing by establishing well-equipped labs at key BCP and CP sites and optimizing testing protocols.
8. An extension past the June 30, 2025 deadline, allowing GB Plant Passports to be affixed to retail-ready plants in the EU for GB Passport holders.
9. A 12-month pause on the Common User Charge, with a full review of the economic impact of current border policies.
10. Proactive international outreach to assure global horticulture and produce partners that the UK is committed to improving border operations and facilitating trade.
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