The Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) and the Fresh Produce Consortium ( FPC ) have issue a joint varsity letter to the government , calling for pressing action following a roundtable meeting on industrial plant , cut prime , and border - related payoff check on 13 February 2025.In the letter of the alphabet , the HTA and FPC emphasize the lively use of horticulture and wise garden truck , contributing significantly to the UK economy , food security , and environmental sustainability . The joint letter highlights substantive obstacles to the swap of both edibles , such as fresh fruits and vegetables , and non - comestible plants , including cut blossom , planting materials , finished industrial plant , trees , shrubs , bulbs , and seed . takings such as rising logistics costs , damaged goods , delays , increased waste , and complex paperwork severely bear upon sector outgrowth and investment in the futurity . As a result , says the HTA , the UK ’s business enterprise reputation is being tarnish , business family relationship are under strain , and there is reduced confidence in border processes . These challenges jeopardise the country ’s food surety , hinder advance toward achieve the UK ’s environmental goal , and immediately impact the selection useable to consumer .
Jennifer Pheasey , Director of Public Affairs at HTA , comment : " We are asking policymakers to urgently forge with the HTA and FPC , take heed to our member , and take swift action to safeguard UK horticulture . Our sectors face growing pressure level from uprise price , provision chain egress , and regulatory changes . While our sectors face different impacts , we share the same vision for frictionless perimeter trade . There is an urgent motive for oversight of all trade - related policy , whether patronage with Northern Ireland , GB Plant Passport changes , or bring up regularization . If these aspects do not go cohesively , we confront increased friction , monetary value , and damage to the UK ’s competitiveness , which ultimately restricts growth and impacts consumers directly . The HTA remain attached to collaborating with the government to come up to these challenge . "
Nigel Jenney , chief operating officer of the Fresh Produce Consortium , enunciate : " The UK border strategy imposed by the premature Government is an consuming and on-going nonstarter without any straightaway sign of improvement . We only need an low-priced and effective biosecure border that run across the indigence of industry and consumers . As a sector , we have been proactive for many year , investing in effectual ego - funded perimeter solvent . However , a active industry that is the basic principle of the nation ’s food and wellbeing has been wittingly compromised by the previous government . "
10 specific border - link up action the HTA and FPC are jointly hollo for :
HTA members can read the full missive at the linkhere .
For more info : Horticultural Trades Associationwww.hta.org.uk
refreshed Produce ConsortiumEmail:[email protected]freshproduce.org.uk
