Who are the HTA?
• Founded in 1899; an organisation formed by its members, for members.
• HTA promotes the interests of its 1400 members and the environmental horticulture industry:
• Growers
• Retailers
• Landscapers & designers
• Manufacturers and suppliers
• Provides business support and development initiatives.
• The National Garden Gift Card.
‘On behalf of our members we promote, support and nurture our industry to ensure a robust and sustainable future.’
HTA Mission Statement
• £38 billion contribution to GDP
• £8.5 billion to tax revenue
• 722,000 jobs supported
• Data source and to find out more: EHG Mission Green Growth report, 2024
• https://hta.org.uk/policy/research-documents-and-policy-papers
https://hta.org.uk/value-of-gardens
EU-UK horticultural imports & exports
EU-UK horticultural trade: the challenges
• Uncertainty
• Mixed-experience
• Cost
• Delays
• Damage
• Capacity
• Communication
• Data
✓Spread import days, avoid peaks
✓Provide loading plans
✓Ensure highest risk plants easily accessible
✓Label everything
✓Indicate temperature controls, if required
✓Pre-notify as early as possible
✓Check & double-check documentation
✓Check IPAFFS regularly
The EU-UK reset: what to expect
• UK & EU agreed to negotiate a common SPS area, which includes plant health
• UK expected to follow EU plant health rules once complete
• All checks & certification expected to be removed
• National measures expected to be re-introduced & protected zones
• Return to cross-EU plant passporting expected
• All plants, plant products, animals, animal products, plant protection products
• Closer collaboration with risk & horizon scanning teams across Europe
• Access to EU’s agencies, systems and databases expected to be re-established
The EU-UK reset: what it could mean
‘Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’
• Negotiations will commence very shortly – change in 2027?
• Current trade (‘EU-UK TCA’ continues)
• Please remain compliant
The EU-UK reset: HTA priorities
1. Urgency in implementing the agreement to ease burdens on businesses trading plants between the EU and the UK.
2. Ongoing consultation and ensure horticultural business experts are involved throughout negotiations and implementation, to maximise the reset opportunity.
3. Clear, useable and early guidance and transition support for businesses to understand changes, adaptation requirements and minimise disruption.
4. To scope out a pre-notification scheme that works for traders and Government plant health agencies alike.
5. Mandatory homogenised plant passports for all plants moving in trade throughout the UK & EU to ensure competence and traceability in the supply chain.
https://hta.org.uk/policy/political-stakeholder-briefings
• The HTA continues to work with its members, UK government, EU/member state embassies and associations
• We encourage associations and businesses to ensure their governments (member state and EU) are aware of their views, challenges and needs
• It is important to keep communicating, dialogue and to support the shared ambition for the EUUK reset
jennifer.pheasey@hta.org.uk
JENNIFER PHEASEY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS & POLICY