In This Issue
Over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards
Final call for GTN's Sustainability Directory entries for 2021
Submit your FREE Sustainability Directory Entry here
elho demonstrates continued growth, innovation, and excellent customer support
Container issues continue to escalate at UK ports - watch ITV News Video featuring Steven Potter at Glencrest
Alver Valley Garden Centre gets green light
Growing Media stars as November sees record total sales
Dobbies moves ‘Bring your Christmas Tree Home Day’ as Brits seek early festive joy
November record for plant sales
Garden centre customers find happiness in houseplants
David Domoney chartered horticulturalist and broadcaster partners with the UK’s leading water garden supplier OASE
Stax sets the standard with new ISO audit
First RHS children’s homeware collection launched
Is selling online the future for garden centres?
New appointments to Board of Directors at E. P. Barrus Ltd
Growers and traders discuss impacts of Brexit 
GTN November issue now on-line
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Haskins promotes Andrew Harriss to Buying Director
Garden product sales on ice
Tong donates bulbs and seeds to mental health charity
On-line hit for Wild Bird Care
Scholarship for students with environmental solutions
Increased Christmas sales despite less customers
The best of last week's
Garden Centres put the positive stories about retailing during Lockdown
Hillier to Open New Garden Centre at Syon Park Estate
British nurseries are amongst the most eco-friendly on the planet, not that you’d know from watching Gardeners’ World
Restaurant gets star billing at redeveloped centre
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
True Instinct to transform into Nature’s Variety
Gin company launches matching festive jumpers and dog bandanas
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Growers and traders discuss impacts of Brexit 

 

With no definitive agreement of a trade deal between the politicians of the UK and the EU in place yet, ‘Getting Brexit Done’ is fast falling on the shoulders of international traders ahead of the 1 January 2021 deadline.

 

The International Association of Horticultural Producers – AIPH, FloraCulture International and World HortiCenter are working together to bring a more precise picture to the global ornamental horticultural industry with two webinars featuring experts from policymakers to nursery owners. 

 

The first webinar, in association with the HTA took place on Wednesday 2 December, with a focus on preparing for the importing and exporting of plants, trees and bulbs. In attendance, online were more than 230 participants from the global supply chain, and a few government officials, all wanting answers to the very question, “How do we get ready?”

 

The HTA states that the UK imports about £350m-worth of plants a year (excluding cut flowers). This figure demonstrates the need for practical preparation on both sides as the EU support mechanisms that have been in place for more than 40 years, and more importantly during the Coronavirus pandemic, will not be there after 31 December.

 

As stakeholders for the UK’s garden trade, Sally Cullimore, Policy Manager, at HTA, is in constant discussion with the UK government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). She foresees the main problems being an IT system that’s not ready and a legacy system that will not cope with the new pre-notification Place of Destination (POD) system. Her comprehensive presentation gave meaning for the modern anachronisms for various processes and set out the multiple milestones – or challenges – ahead. She did not shy away from the knowledge that there will be many administrative complications that need resolution such as adequate border inspections, a definitive classification of plants - where they are arriving, what’s happening to them. Plus, further complications arising from the any new plant passport system and phytosanitary certificates. 

 

On a positive note, she adds that once the IT system is working, it will provide “a greater consolidation of data and more streamlined trade flow”. In conclusion, she says there is a need for greater collaboration adding: “We are fighting for the industry.” She hopes that in talking to DEFRA, there is the political will to suspend import inspection until July.

 

Moving on from the management of the new administration to the cost of the changes was the next presenter Eline van den Berg, Supply Chain Public Affairs, of Royal FloraHolland, the Netherlands. Using data from major accountancy organisation KPMG and knowledge of current free trading with the UK, their calculations account for additional costs of trade of between 0.6-20%.

 

Stefan Koopman, Market Economist UK Rabobank, gives a bleak future picture, as he comments upon current impacts which the Bank of England has dubbed “the holy trinity” – coronavirus, Brexit and unemployment. Stefan concludes that “the push for sovereignty has a price that will have a negative effect on the country’s potential rate of growth and may make it less attractive for foreign capital.”

 

Speaking from the hearts were presentations from Bruce Harnett, Managing Director, Kernock Park Plants, UK and Henk Westerhof, Royal Anthos (Royal Trade Association for Nursery Stock and Flower Bulbs), the Netherlands. Both speakers shared their frustrations with the impending new ways of trading. Bruce fearing the logistical difficulties to exporting to Northern Ireland and Henk needing clarity on the implications of “free of soil” or “practically free of soil” and “what is a place of destination mean when dealing with landscapers”? 

 

In the panel session, all speakers agree on their concerns about the interpretations with Bruce adding: “Pragmatism should win in the end.” After all, that is how we have been coping with the coronavirus pandemic.

 

AIPH secretary general Tim Briercliffe comments: “Amongst the confusion of the Brexit negotiations it is encouraging to see how hard our industry is fighting to keep this vital trade in place after 1 January.  With so many questions still unanswered then it was clear that HTA has full support, from both sides of the channel, to reach the best outcomes for our industry and we wish them well as they lobby for these outcomes regardless of what happens with the negotiations.“

 

The webinar is free to view on our YouTube channel

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