The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) have issued a joint letter to the government, calling for urgent action following a roundtable meeting on border-related issues held on 4 October 2024.
In the letter, the HTA and FPC emphasize the vital role of horticulture and fresh produce, contributing significantly to the UK economy, food security, and environmental sustainability. The joint letter highlights substantial obstacles to the trade of both edibles, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Issues such as rising logistics costs, damaged goods, delays, increased waste, and complex paperwork severely impact sector growth and investment in the future.
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at HTA, commented: "We are asking policymakers to urgently work with the HTA and FPC, listen to our members, and take swift action to safeguard UK horticulture. Our sectors face growing pressures from rising costs, supply chain issues, and regulatory changes.
"While our sectors face different impacts, we share the same vision for frictionless border trade. There is an urgent need for oversight of all trade-related policies, whether trade with Northern Ireland, GB Plant Passport changes, or CITES regulations. If these aspects do not function cohesively, we face increased friction, costs, and damage to the UK's competitiveness, which ultimately restricts growth and impacts consumers directly. The HTA remains committed to collaborating with the government to address these challenges."
Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said: "The UK border strategy imposed by the previous Government is an overwhelming and ongoing failure without any immediate sign of improvement. We simply need an affordable and effective biosecure border that meets the needs of industry and consumers.
"As a sector, we have been proactive for many years, investing in effective self-funded border solutions. However, a dynamic industry which is the bedrock of the nation's food and wellbeing has been knowingly compromised by the previous government.
"It's now 6 months since the launch and nothing has changed. Our highly efficient industry solutions are being knowingly starved of "official inspection resources" therefore we are being forced to use Sevington a Government owned BCP which imposes mandatory unjustifiable costs on every consignment whether inspected or not.
"Data suggests a commercially managed control point providing a vastly improved service is 90% cheaper than Sevington. Ultimately, industry and consumers are spending millions on avoidable costs imposed by our own government. Another new and hidden tax perhaps.
"It's essential the nearly new Government resolves this chaos soon. While it's a crisis not of their making, it's their problem to solve, and it's been 3 months. Industry can readily solve the problem if given the opportunity. Industry has proven solutions, but we need the Government to agree and implement rapidly."
For more information:
HTA
Tel: + 44 0333 003 3550
Email: [email protected]
www.hta.org.uk