Dutch flower growers have called on the UK government to delay post-Brexit border controls on plants and food set to come in from this month, claiming exporters are not ready and that any delays at customs could result in “substantial damages and losses.”
VGB, the Dutch association of wholesalers in floricultural products, has written to the UK government warning it of “significant concerns” about industry readiness for the changes, saying they will cause disruption on Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, the peak season for the sector.
The checks, which make up part of a new post-Brexit border regime, will require European importers to provide health certificates for “medium and high risk” animal and plant products from 31 January, while physical inspections of these goods will start at the end of April.
Chrysanthemums, carnations, and orchids are among the flowers that will now need to be checked because they are classed as medium risk. Currently, officers visit garden centers after delivery, meaning plants can be cared for while they await inspection. After April, physical controls will happen at the port, meaning lorries and their consignments could be held for hours, putting perishable goods at risk.
Read more at theguardian.com