The UK’s fresh produce industry is raising the alarm following a tense parliamentary session on 6 May, during which Baroness Hayman appeared to sidestep crucial questions about the looming introduction of Medium Risk A & B plant health checks.
With just weeks remaining before the planned 1 July rollout, the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has warned that persistent ambiguity and unanswered questions could lead to serious disruption across the UK’s fruit, vegetable, and cut flower supply chains.
Appearing before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee, Baroness Hayman failed to provide the clear, actionable details industry leaders have been demanding for months. Her vague responses left stakeholders frustrated and increasingly concerned.
“None of these questions are new,” said Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the FPC. “We’ve been asking for clarity for months. Time is running out, and the industry cannot afford further ambiguity.”
The FPC is calling for urgent, high-level engagement with Defra and related agencies to deliver the clarity and planning required to avoid chaos at the border.
“The absence of a clear, transparent roadmap is fuelling anxiety and undermining confidence in the Government’s ability to deliver its own Border Target Operating Model,” added Jenney. “Without immediate action, the UK faces delays, shortages, and serious damage to its reputation as a reliable fresh produce market.”
