In anticipation of the forthcoming release of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) on 12 July, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), along with members Danmar Logistics, Provender Nurseries, Greenwood Plants, and You Garden, recently conducted a comprehensive visit to the Sevington Inland Border Facility in Ashford, Kent. The objective of the visit was to gain a firsthand understanding of Sevington’s preparedness for the planned introduction of Border Control Posts. They were also joined by hauliers Windhorst Ferry BV and representatives from Defra and APHA specialising in plant health and seeds inspection, import policy, and infrastructure delivery.
The HTA’s visit to Sevington is part of a programme of activity on behalf of its members to ensure that the plant trade remains a top priority, emphasising the significance of the horticulture industry. The association hopes to gain reassurance that any new trade system is meticulously planned, thoroughly tested, and effectively communicated to businesses operating within the sector.
Representing over 1,500 members across the UK environmental horticulture sector, including garden centre retailers, tree and plant growers, goods manufacturers, landscapers, and service providers, the HTA plays a vital role in the industry. This dynamic sector supports nearly 700,000 jobs, contributes significantly to a national GDP of nearly £28 billion, combats climate change, and enhances the health and wellbeing of approximately 30 million gardeners in the UK.
Without a Sanitary Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, the horticultural sector has adhered to import and export requirements outlined in the Trade & Co-operation Agreement (TCA) since 1 January 2021. The UK horticultural sector relies on imported plant material, valued at over £753 million in 2022, representing half of the total value of the UK production sector for trees, plants, seeds, and bulbs—a significant £1.58 billion per annum in 2020.
Since 2021, Plant Health controls have been effectively implemented, ensuring import inspections occur at the Place of Destination, a proven successful system for traders and nurseries. The HTA’s concern lies in the readiness of Border Control Posts to handle the diverse and intricate array of imports that the horticultural sector receives from the EU.
Sally Cullimore, Technical Policy Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association, commented:
“Today’s visit provided an important opportunity for representatives from the whole supply chain to come together with key officials, observe the proposed processes, discuss challenges, and, most importantly, identify potential solutions. 96% of UK growers have to import some sort of plant material for their operations, so it is crucial to have an import system that works for the industry. We strongly urge that this valuable feedback from today’s visit be incorporated into the final publication of the Border Target Operating Model.”