Suggested amendments to regulations that would force ornamental plants without an officially registered botanical description off the market must bne received in Brussels by 4 December – next Tuesday.

UK MEPs have been deluged in recent weeks by letters from growers and horticulturists. The HTA regard the  proposals as a serious threat that could results in tens of thousands of popular plants becoming unavailable in the trade.

To comply with the proposals as they stand, trade sources say descriptions for 50,000 or more plants would need to be researched and written at a cost of £500-£600 each – a potential burden on the industry of up to £37 million. The complexity of the regulations also raises concerns about who would be responsible for originating the descriptions.

Among the campaigners is Cheshire nurserywoman Sue Beesley of Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery, who has complained to her MEP as a member of the charity Plant Heritage. She says in a recent blog (this link):

“Will the new laws reduce current ornamental plant choice? Yes. Hugely. Will the new laws reduce the introduction of new plants onto the market. Yes. Of course. Will the new laws damage the UK and European ornamental business? Yes, plainly, as night follows day. As the HTA website says, ominously, they would be 'extremely damaging for ornamentals'. They should know, they are the trade body representing most of the garden centres in the UK.”

In her letter to her MEP, Mrs Beesley adds: “We are very concerned that the changes will affect the profitability of horticulture, if not the existence of the ornamental plant trade in its current form; and in addition not protect those in the industry who are conserving plants; thus meaning that conservation of plants becomes the preserve of only botanic gardens and individuals with no commercial involvement, and the concomitant loss of biodiversity that this would cause.”