The EU’s horticultural is worth over £57 billion, but the UK’s post-Brexit border checks have taken a toll on the industry.
The biosecurity measures introduced by the UK government have been described as “painful” by Europe’s horticultural sector as they added delays and costs to exports.
In a letter to Sue Hayman, the UK Minister for Biosecurity and Plant Health, Fran Barnes, the CEO of an organisation which aims to support the UK environmental horticultural industry called HTA said: “The pressure on our industry is immense. Specialist transporters are now pulling out of the UK market entirely, leaving us with a shrinking pool of suppliers.
“All parties involved in moving plants, trees, flowers, bulbs and seeds between the EU and the UK are now doing so under maximum pressure, facing unmanageable increases in costs, experiencing painful border process, yet with minimal information with which to do it.”
The delays, which can be up to weeks, are placing a financial burden on EU exporters, especially small and medium-sized businesses that are not able to pass the costs on to their customers. Each physical check can cost between £420 – £840.
Dutch importers have been especially affected by the delays. The UK is their second-largest market for flowers and plants, worth nearly £840 billion per year.
Matthijs Mesken, Director of the Dutch Flower and Plant Exporters Association, said: “Exporters are expressing deep concern about the potential loss of the UK as an important market for the EU’s horticultural sector.
“We’re seeing more companies hesitate or decide against sending goods to the UK. If the situation continues, it’s not just a few deliveries that will be impacted – it is entire business relationships built over decades.”
The UK government have emphasised the necessity of the checks in order to safeguard British plant health and that they are working to ensure smoother operations at ports.
Exporters say that the current system is unsustainable and are calling for a review of the processes or a delay in the implementation of further phases of border controls.