The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) have escalated calls for action, submitting their 10 asks to the Environment Secretary, Rt Hon Steve Reed MP. This follows Defra’s failure to reply to the previous joint letter to the government, which was sent over a month ago. The letter called for urgent action following a ministerial 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. 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.
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at HTA, said: “The lack of urgency in taking action or even replying is hugely concerning, especially when we are near daily presenting evidence and issues to those responsible for making the border function. It is not just frustrating, but costly and damaging for businesses facing lost stock, hiked costs, delayed supply chains and impacts on customer relationships. This is all now on top of the triple hit of costs resulting from the Autumn Budget announcements on national insurance, living wage and other taxes. Our asks are constructive, clear and achievable. We need the government to work immediately with the HTA and FPC, listen to our members, and take swift action to safeguard UK horticulture and its benefits to the economy, the environment, individuals, and communities.”
Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said: “My message to the government is clear – we simply need an affordable and effective biosecure border which meets the needs of industry and consumers. Not even replying shows that the UK border strategy imposed by the previous government is an overwhelming and ongoing failure and that this government has no sense of urgency or appreciation of the impacts despite us providing vast amounts of evidence. Whilst they continue to procrastinate, Rome is burning.
“We are a dynamic and proactive sector, having invested in effective self-funded border solutions. Our ability to deliver the food and wellbeing is clearly not recognised by this government. It’s now 6 months since the launch, and nothing has changed. It is well over a month since we met Ministers and submitted our asks. This Government can and must resolve this chaos.”
On the 20th of September, the HTA requested a meeting with Defra to allow both HTA and FPC members to present their concerns and discuss solutions. They met with Baroness Hayman on the 3rd of October, formally submitting joint asks on the 21st of October.