Negotiations will now commence on re-entering the European plant health area and this could mean the end of most border control checks and phytosanitary certification for most plant products traded with the EU. 聽The detail will be negotiated over the coming months.聽
This is an outcome that the NFU has committed a huge amount of resource into achieving. From the outset, we have challenged the efficacy and economic impact of BCPs (Border Control Points). We also worked hard to mitigate their impacts; when the BTOM (Border Target Operating Model) was launched, it was suggested that growers might achieve a 鈥楾rusted Trader鈥� status but, despite our intensive discussions, this has never been effectively realised.
I am delighted that common sense and pragmatism have now prevailed.
Biosecurity, without compromising on growth
Maintaining a high level of biosecurity is, and will remain, critical to successful business operations in the horticulture and potato sectors 鈥� but this must be achieved without compromising the growth of UK horticulture, which will depend upon uninhibited access to high quality planting material and access to the European market place for our produce.
The introduction of the BTOM (Border Trade Operating Model) in April 2024 had a highly significant and debilitating affect on the movement of planting material and products.
Those dependent on importing planting material faced increased bureaucracy, increased costs and unacceptable delays.聽
鈥淏usinesses (including my own) are still facing unacceptable costs and delays 鈥� it is critical that Defra provides the resource to ensure it operates as efficiently as possible.鈥�
NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board chair Martin Emmett
Given the high level of biosecurity already found in supply chains, such as with protected salads, border control points were being seen by growers as more likely to be a point of infection rather than effective inspection.
Businesses still facing costs and delays
Alongside this, exports to the EU faced parallel or even greater challenges. Our exports of seed potatoes are currently prevented by current relationships, so the new deal has the ambition to unblock this important trade route.聽
There is still a lot of detail that will have to be scrutinised as part of the negotiation. It is crucial that it does not compromise the progress of the Precision Breeding Bill and any dynamic alignment 鈥� the idea that the UK will adopt relevant EU legislation into its own regulatory standards moving forward 鈥� on crop protection (including pesticides) must offer mutual advantage.
While I hope that progress can be expedited, we do have to continue with the BTOM in the meantime. Businesses (including my own) are still facing unacceptable costs and delays 鈥� it is critical that Defra provides the resource to ensure it operates as efficiently as possible.
