The Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) , representing the UK ’s £ 38 billion horticulture industriousness , is making a final , pressing appeal for a UK - EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary ( SPS ) agreement to be negotiated that explicitly include plant health . This crucial call add up just days before a key UK - EU Leaders ' Summit in London on Monday , 19 May and at the start of the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show week . The HTA forgather with Minister Zeichner and DEFRA officials this week to discuss ambition and opportunities for such an agreement .
For months and years , the HTA has consistently lead calls for the UK and EU to negociate a comprehensive SPS understanding that specifically includes provisions for plant health . The HTA go on to play up the significant strain on its member do by the disruption of cross - border industrial plant trade since the UK ’s departure from the EU , leading to square costs , reduced consumer selection , and hardship for businesses voyage complex novel physical process in already challenging economic times .
The HTA has been at the head of advocating for immediate business deal easements , providing indispensable advice and guidance to members facing border challenges , collaborating closely with EU sister associations , and systematically champion the vital motivation for an SPS arrangement that comprehend not just veterinary matters but specifically flora health .
Commenting on the decisive timing and the clear chance , Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , said :
" With the EU and UK leader ' Summit here in London on Monday 19 May , at the start of Chelsea Flower Show week , there could not be a full time to make the HTA ’s calls for an SPS agreement a realism and to stop boundary line rubbing , reduce costs and boost fight for UK horticulture . cultivator , retailers , landscapers and suppliers would welcome the certainty and self-confidence this could work .
" This would gain not just us but also our European colleagues , and we welcome the calls we have seen this workweek from Union Fleur and the European Nurserystock Association , call for a reset in relations that boosts the deal in plants and heyday . Let us spend meter blooming , not bogged down in bureaucracy . "
An effective SPS agreement include industrial plant wellness would streamline processes , reduce review encumbrance , and lower costs associated with importing and exporting plants and related mathematical product between the UK and the EU , providing a pregnant encouragement to the total horticultural provision mountain range on both position .
The HTA urges leadership at the upcoming Summit to recognise the immense cultural and economic value of the horticulture sector and seize this well timed chance to start negotiations on a flora - inclusive SPS understanding .
For more selective information : Horticultural Trades Association[email protected]www.hta.org.uk
Frontpage photo : © Dreamstime
