The Government has reassured farmers after fears that new Brexit border checks could lead to disease and delays.
The Border Control Point (BCP) check system is coming in April, with import checks for nearly all young plants entering the UK.
Most soft plants, like berries and tomatoes, start life in European greenhouses and are then imported to the UK for planting. UK growers rely on this to start their crops.
Currently, imported plants are held by nurseries in controlled conditions before some are checked by inspectors, often prioritised based on risk.
But under new rules, the Government intends to check 100 percent of the plants coming across the border in inspection facilities.
Many growers fear that these new checks could lead to an increased risk of plant disease and damage to crucial plant imports.
Among those concerned about the checks are the British Tomato Growers’ Association, Horticultural Trades Association, British Apples and Pears, and British Berry Growers.
Dr Phil Morley, a technical officer for the British Tomato Growers’ Association said: “Firstly, we have serious concerns about biosecurity, preventing plant virus transmission, which can have a devastating economic effect on crop productivity.
“British tomato growers invest in strict hygiene in nurseries to reduce disease risk, as do our overseas propagators, who operate a high-level biosecurity regime. These are audited to ensure risks to plant health are addressed and minimised in every way.
“Our members have inspected BCPs and are not confident that similar high-level bio-security measures are possible at these holdings where many plants may be present at any one time.
“Secondly, inevitable delays at border checks may result in significant plant damage during a critical stage in their growth. It is essential they arrive at their final destination where they can be properly cared for.
“Being kept in an uncontrolled BCP environment for any length of time will have a significant economic impact for growers and a potential delay to plant development which could push back harvest dates of these high-value crops.
“Whilst we appreciate the intentions of border checks on imported plant material, we feel these checks are best carried out in the production nursery after arrival.”
The Government has said the border strategy was to “protect the UK against biosecurity threats”, and the new controls would use “Brexit freedoms to simplify import controls on goods from across the globe”.
And the National Farmers’ Union has come out in support of “proportionate” checks following years of the UK being subject to EU controls.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “For the past three years, British farmers have faced the full reach of EU controls on our exports while the EU has enjoyed continued easy access to the UK marketplace.
“This is not just an issue for competitiveness, with our farmers faced with additional costs and paperwork, but also for our nation’s biosecurity.
“Domestic producers work under stringent UK regulations to guarantee the safety of our food, ensuring shoppers are not misled and protecting our countryside, flora, wildlife and farmed animals.
“We support import controls that are proportionate in providing an appropriate level of biosecurity and food safety, while keeping costs and delays as low as possible.”
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: “We have introduced these new import controls in phases to support businesses and ensure efficient trade of plants is maintained between the EU and Great Britain.
“The current ‘places of destination’ scheme was always designed to be a temporary measure until inspections commenced at border control posts.
“The controls that the new model introduces play a vital role in keeping the UK safe, protecting our food supply chains and farming sector from damaging disease outbreaks.”
