According to reports, garden centres across the UK are so concerned about the potential impact of new border checks on plants and fresh produce, which are due to come into effect at the end of April, they are stockpiling plants to avoid shortages.
A survey of 50 Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) members suggested 41% were planning to bring deliveries forward to avoid the checks, while European suppliers have indicated that they will hold orders back by up to a month in case the new border control posts (BCPs) are overwhelmed.
HTA Technical Policy Manager Sally Cullimore reiterated member’s concerns, saying, “We’ve got a bit of a glut going on at the moment, with everyone rushing around to make sure they get stuff in before 30 April. These are our peak trading weeks in horticulture, particularly in garden retail. That’s not a good situation to be in, but there’s just no faith in the system.”
Martin Emmett, chair of the NFU’s horticulture and potatoes board and boss of Farplants added, “Products with longer production schedules give some flexibility to when they can be brought in, and we are taking those in as early as possible before 30 April. These are things like shrubs and garden flowers, such as geraniums and echinaceas.”
In particular there are concerns that BCPs will not be able to cope with mixed and loose loads of plants, while suppliers fear that the inspection regime will simply be overwhelmed by the volume of material requiring inspection.