HTA and FPC call for urgent action on post-Brexit border

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) have issued a joint letter to the government, calling for urgent action following a roundtable meeting on plants, cut flowers, and border-related issues held on 4 October 2024.

In the letter, the HTA and FPC emphasise the vital role of horticulture and fresh produce, contributing significantly to the UK economy, food security, and environmental sustainability.

Obstacles to trade

The joint letter highlights substantial obstacles to the trade of both edibles, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and non-edible plants, including cut flowers, planting materials, finished plants, trees, shrubs, bulbs and seeds.

Issues such as rising logistics costs, damaged goods, delays, increased waste, and complex paperwork severely impact sector growth and investment in the future. As a result, the UK’s business reputation is being tarnished, business relationships are under strain, and there is reduced confidence in border processes.

These challenges threaten the country’s food security, hinder progress towards achieving the UK’s environmental goals, and directly impact the choices available to consumers.

Jennifer Pheasey, director of public affairs at HTA, said: “We are asking policymakers to urgently work with the HTA and FPC, listen to our members, and take swift action to safeguard UK horticulture. Our sectors face growing pressures from rising costs, supply chain issues, and regulatory changes.

“While our sectors face different impacts, we share the same vision for frictionless border trade. There is an urgent need for oversight of all trade-related policies, whether trade with Northern Ireland, GB Plant Passport changes, or CITES regulations. If these aspects do not function cohesively, we face increased friction, costs, and damage to the UK’s competitiveness, which ultimately restricts growth and impacts consumers directly.

”The HTA remains committed to collaborating with the government to address these challenges.”

UK border strategy ‘on-going failure’

Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, added: “The UK border strategy imposed by the previous government is an overwhelming and ongoing failure without any immediate sign of improvement. We simply need an affordable and effective biosecure border which meets the needs of industry and consumers.

“As a sector, we have been proactive for many years, investing in effective self-funded border solutions. However, a dynamic industry which is the bedrock of the nation’s food and wellbeing has been knowingly compromised by the previous government.

“It’s now six months since the launch and nothing has changed. Our highly efficient industry solutions are being knowingly starved of “official inspection resources” therefore we are being forced to use Sevington, a Government owned BCP, which imposes mandatory unjustifiable costs on every consignment whether inspected or not. On reflection, no commercial operator would be allowed to adopt this approach and, if they did, it would probably be called out as a monopoly.”

He added: “Data suggests a commercially managed control point providing a vastly improved service is 90 per cent cheaper than Sevington. Ultimately, industry and consumers are spending millions on avoidable costs imposed by our own government. Another new and hidden tax perhaps.

“It’s essential the nearly new government resolves this chaos soon. While it’s a crisis not of their making, it’s their problem to solve, and it’s been three months. Industry can readily solve the problem if given the opportunity. Industry has proven solutions, but we need the Government to agree and implement rapidly.”

On 20 September, the HTA requested a meeting with Defra to allow both HTA and FPC members to present their concerns and discuss solutions. The associations are urging the government to prioritise this meeting to ensure the voices of the industry are heard.

The HTA and FPC remain steadfast in advocating for a thriving horticulture and fresh produce sector. The joint letter encapsulates the concerns of businesses across the supply chain, all of whom rely on clear, supportive policies to continue providing quality products to consumers while also safeguarding jobs and the environment. Members can read the full letter here.

New PHI Service

The HTA and FPC’s joint letter comes as Defra on Wednesday (23 October) launched a new Plant Health Information (PHI) Service.

The new system, developed in conjunction with Defra, APHA and external parties, provides information on phytosanitary requirements for importing plants, seeds, and plant products into Great Britain.

The new service builds on existing data and guidance and allows users to search under various headings, including a plant’s Latin name and country of origin, Defra said in a statement.

Alongside this “plant journey” there is a “pest journey” which allows users to find information (including Defra documents and links to photographs) on non-native pests and diseases (based on the current Pest Risk Register data).

Defra said this service does not replace the Plant Health Portal or Pest Risk Register, but is a simple mechanism for users to find information. Additionally, it does not at present include specific import requirements under Annex 7 of the Plant Health Regulations relating to regulated pests.

The link to the service is: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-plant-health-information-and-import-rules