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The government of Rishi Sunak has been advised to assure British citizens that there will be an adequate supply of red roses for Valentine’s Day despite Brexit checks.
Importers of fruits, vegetables, and flowers are calling on the government to clarify the additional regulations being implemented for imports arriving in late January and April.
Dutch flower producers have urged the Sunak administration to postpone the upcoming border regulations, cautioning that EU sellers are unprepared.
According to Labour politician Daniel Zeichner, British farmers who bring in young plants, flower seeds, and other goods are currently experiencing significant concern over upcoming alterations.
According to the Horticultural Trade Association, the number of steps required to import a petunia plant from the Netherlands has increased from 19 to 59. This was highlighted by Mr. Zeichner during a session in the Commons.
The member of parliament inquired about the minister’s efforts to guarantee an ample amount of imported red roses for Valentine’s Day, specifically for the Conservatives who have a strong affection for one another.
The government has put in a significant amount of effort on the import check system, according to Tory trade minister Greg Hands. He also mentioned that the implementation will be done in stages to ensure businesses are informed and prepared.
Dover has experienced significant traffic and delays due to the implementation of post-Brexit regulations.
Mr Hands stated that the new model would streamline border procedures for both imports and exports. He then criticized Labour’s proposed veterinary agreement with Brussels as a means of reducing trade barriers.
The government of Mr. Sunak has postponed implementing checks on imports from the EU until 2024 due to concerns that it may contribute to the rise of food inflation. This comes as a relief as food prices are slowly starting to decrease from the peak of the cost of living crisis.
Starting on 31 January, new health certificates will be necessary for all imports. After that, there will be a three-month period before sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) inspections for medium-risk food, animal, and plant products begin on 30 April.
Chris Bonnett, the creator of Gardening Express, has cautioned that the implementation of new inspections may result in a scarcity of certain flowers and plants. He predicts that consumers will be the ones most affected, as prices for flowers and plants are likely to rise as a result.
In a recent statement, the Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products suggested delaying checks until 2025 due to concerns about potential issues during the upcoming holidays of Valentine’s Day and Easter.
According to James Barnes, the chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association, the recently implemented border system is a potential disaster. He expressed this concern in an interview with the Financial Times.
He stated: “The primary concern is that the current infrastructure is not equipped to handle the high volume of trade.”
The NFU stated that the upcoming paperwork and import inspections have the potential to greatly endanger the horticultural industry in Britain.
The agricultural organization reported that farmers in Britain who rely on young plants from the European Union, specifically for soft fruits like strawberries and raspberries, are likely to experience disruption.
Source: independent.co.uk
