Following the news of a new UK-EU trade deal, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA)has welcomed the commitment of an improved trading relationship with the EU, while stressing the need to remove unnecessary certification and checks on plants and plant products. Early positives of the deal include the outline of a SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) agreement which will reduce barriers to trade.
A common understanding document sets out the terms of the negotiations between the UK and EU, allowing for a short list of limited exceptions under certain scenarios.
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA said: “The HTA welcomes today’s announcement of a commitment to deliver an ambitious and comprehensive new UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, inclusive of plants. We have been at the forefront of explaining the vital need for this agreement. The current border regime has caused uncertainty and huge costs to our members’ businesses. We are incredibly pleased that the government has made this significant first step to deal with the issues we have continually raised. Whilst we await the details, we anticipate that the agreement should remove the need for unnecessary certification and checks on plants and plant products, which will save the sector millions and cannot come soon enough.
“Environmental horticulture businesses across the UK – from growers and retailers to landscapers and suppliers – have borne the brunt of costly and complex border trade processes and bureaucracy since the UK left the EU. Many have lost business, and all have faced supply chain disruption and rising costs.
“Addressing these impacts and ensuring the needs of our members are prioritised in trade and border policy has long been a priority for us. Today’s statement reflects the influence of the HTA’s sustained efforts, and we are encouraged to see SPS alignment on the agenda.
“The Leaders’ Summit marks an important step towards rebuilding practical, collaborative trade arrangements. The key questions now are the details of the new arrangements and reassurances that plants are not the ‘exceptions’ indicated in the standard text, as well as how quickly they can be implemented.
“We are optimistic about what can be achieved and we will work proactively on behalf of our members to ensure our sector has a strong voice in shaping an outcome that safeguards biosecurity, restores business confidence, and supports long-term competitiveness.”
Industry reactions
Grower Jonathan Whittemore, Johnsons Nurseries and chair of the HTA’s Ornamental Management Committee (OMC) added: “Many growers will welcome the prospect of the removal of friction and burdens associated with cross-border plant trade becoming a reality. Johnsons alone has been hit by the financial and time demands of border checks and certification, which have not boosted our top priority of biosecurity but increased risk, uncertainty and disruption. We are looking forward to the details of what any new SPS arrangement in our sector will mean. We are grateful for the ongoing work of the HTA, which has been the leading voice for horticulture in lobbying for this change.”
Retailer Neil Grant, Ferndale Garden Centre and chair of the HTA’s Retailer Committee said: “Garden centres and their customers have seen prices rise and choice reduced as a direct result of the trade barriers we now have with European suppliers. We know of many retailers who report that inspection delays have led to damaged, unsalable stock, as well as staffing issues around ever-shifting delivery times, all of which add costs to garden centres across the UK. Lifting trade barriers should boost our range of plants and products and how quickly we can get them. We are very positive on the HTA’s ongoing advice, guidance and advocacy on EU-UK trade. We are looking forward to seeing the outcome of this hard work benefit UK garden retailers and their customers.”
Landscaper Dave Strows, Artform Landscapes and chair of the Association of Professional Landscapers Committee, said: “Landscapers and designers who deliver gardens and green spaces have experienced delays, damaged goods, and increased costs as a result of trade barriers for the plants and materials they need. Any step that reduces the risks and costs cannot come soon enough, and means we can deliver even better gardens for our clients. Many APL members have been sharing their experiences and challenges with the HTA, who have lobbied hard for an SPS agreement; this is a huge achievement for the HTA and APL.”
The British Retail Consortium also welcomed the deal, with Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, commenting: “The removal of veterinary checks is good news for retailers and consumers alike. It will help keep costs down and create greater security in retail supply chains, ensuring the ongoing availability of key food imports for British shoppers. As well as supporting growth for exporters to the UK’s biggest export market, retailers operating in the EU will also see a huge reduction in the unnecessary processes, paperwork and administrative burden when exporting goods, supporting our competitiveness abroad. The industry remains keen to see the government and the EU continue to develop our future trading relationship for the benefit of consumers both in the UK and in Europe and the next steps should include greater alignment on environmental and product safety standards.”
Neil Johnston, Head of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said: “This looks like good news for consumers and retailers in Northern Ireland. Although there is significant work to be done over the coming months, we can hopefully look forward to dismantling the burdens placed on retailers under the NI Protocol and the Windsor Framework. Retailers have worked hard to abide by the rules and to ensure that consumers in Northern Ireland have by and large seen little impact on the shelves of shops. This has, however, imposed a considerable workload and expense on retailers. We hope that the negotiations will proceed at pace and that we can move forward with a proportionate and pragmatic approach to enforcing the current regime until such time that restrictions including ‘Not for EU’ labelling can be lifted. Retailers remain committed to ensure that consumers in Northern Ireland continue to have access to the same broad range of products as their counterparts in other parts of the UK.”
