Dutch flower growers have called on the UK government to postpone new border checks which are due to finally commence on imported produce later this month.
VGB, the Dutch association of wholesalers in floricultural products, has written to the UK government warning of ‘significant concerns’ about industry readiness for the changes, saying they will cause disruption on Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, the peak season for the sector.
VGB director, Matthijs Mesken, said, “We wish to express our concern regarding the impending introduction of phytosanitary certificates on medium-risk products, scheduled for 31 January 2024. This timing coincides with the absolute peak of the seasons, which poses challenges for our industry.”
He added that while only five types of flowers would be considered ‘medium risk,’ these were present in nearly 85 per cent of the shipped consignments due to mixed bouquets and would cause issues for Dutch exporters.
HTA chair James Barnes, told the Guardian that Brexit had already introduced delays to imports, and that these could get worse under the new regime. He said the number of steps to import a petunia had increased from 19 to 59 since the UK left the EU: “You used to be able to pick up the telephone to a Dutch supplier and place an order of petunias and your goods would be with you on a lorry in 48 hours. What will happen from the first of April, these checks will happen at the port rather than destination, and lorries will be stopped and opened and cause delay.”
The FPC, has also echoed these concerns, estimating that additional annual costs of more than £10m stemming from import charges would have to be passed on to consumers.