Severe disruptions and rising costs threaten the UK and EU horticultural sectors.
- The Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) and European trade bodies highlight significant delays and increased import costs.
- The new border system, introduced in April, has caused delivery delays of up to 44 hours.
- Small businesses face untenable financial pressures due to additional inspection costs.
- The government asserts the measures enhance biosecurity, but industry leaders call for urgent action.
The Horticultural Trade Association (HTA), representing 1,400 UK garden retailers and growers, alongside various European trade bodies, has issued an open letter requesting immediate governmental intervention. They contend that the newly instituted border checks from April have inflated import costs by over 25%, significantly disrupting trade operations. These checks have led to considerable delivery delays, sometimes extending up to 44 hours.
Such delays have multifaceted ramifications, including an elevated risk of pest and plant diseases entering the UK, and substantial financial burdens on businesses. One haulage company documented 93 hours of driver waiting time within the first week, resulting in an additional £38,000 in wages. This company estimates a surge in logistics expenses by £1.5 million over the next year, reflecting a 25% increase.
Under the new regulations, specific plant and animal products from the EU must undergo inspections at border posts near British ports, whereas previously, inspections were randomly conducted upon arrival at nurseries. The inefficiencies of this system are illustrated by a recent incident where three trailers of plants were detained for 44 hours due to a software failure, causing most of the plants to wilt and subsequently be rejected by the end customer.
Signatories of the letter, including the International Flower Trade Association and VGB (the Dutch floricultural wholesaler association), emphasise that the added border inspection costs render trade unsustainable for many small enterprises. Some businesses incur additional costs of up to £1,740 for mixed loads of plants. The regulations classify plants for planting as high-risk, subjecting them to stricter checks than medium-risk items like meat and dairy.
Importers argue that the border posts lack the necessary infrastructure to manage the large and varied plant shipments, causing further delays and increased costs. Previously, plants were held under controlled conditions at nurseries before being inspected by government officials. Currently, these inspections are predominantly carried out at border posts. The government maintains that such measures are essential to bolster biosecurity and prevent harmful diseases from entering the country.
However, the letter raises issues concerning the thoroughness of these inspections, suggesting that some checks are superficial and there is inadequate communication regarding inspection results. One cited example involves a shipment of 50 mature olive trees, known hosts for Xylella fastidiosa, where inspections were halted due to unloading complications. The customer received no information on the inspection outcome, heightening biosecurity concerns.
In response, the government plans to collaborate with traders to expedite the inspection process and has issued guidelines to aid businesses in mitigating delays. They assure that all inspections are performed by trained personnel adhering to established standard operating procedures. Other signatories to the letter include the European Nurserystock Association, Royal Anthos (Dutch Association for Nursery Stock and Flower Bulbs), VBN (Dutch Flower Auctions Association), and Transport en Logistiek Nederland (Dutch Transport & Logistics Association).
Urgent government intervention is required to address the significant challenges posed by post-Brexit border checks on the UK and EU horticultural trade.
