The Horticultural Trades Association brought together UK, international and European horticulture partners at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, one year on from the Government’s commitment to pursue a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.

The meeting marks an important milestone for environmental horticulture, with businesses seeking progress on measures that could ease trade barriers and improve the movement of plants and plant products between the UK and the EU. With the Government aiming to introduce new arrangements from mid-2027, the sector is increasingly focused on what implementation will mean in practice.

Representatives from the HTA, Union Fleurs, VGB, Royal Anthos, and international diplomats toured the show, meeting growers and supply chain representatives at Chelsea to discuss what an SPS agreement could mean for the movement of plants and plant products between the UK and the EU. For environmental horticulture, a deal could cut border checks, paperwork and delays, lowering costs and improving efficiency while maintaining high plant health standards.

With the sector in the spotlight at one of the world’s best-known horticultural events, the show also provided a platform to underline the importance of smoother trade between the UK and EU.

The UK and EU remain highly interconnected trading partners for plants and horticultural products. The value of plants and trees imported into the UK from the EU is equivalent to around half of the £1.5 billion value of UK production of trees and plants. Around 80% of HTA member businesses import non-UK-sourced plant material.

However, the sector continues to be impacted by post-Brexit border arrangements. Supply chain costs have risen significantly, particularly with the implementation of Border Control Posts in 2024, with some businesses reporting increases of up to 25% alongside significant administrative burdens. UK exports have also been significantly affected, reducing by almost half due to restrictions on certain plant and tree movements.

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Policy & Public Affairs at the HTA, said:

“With the EU-UK reset launched a year ago this week, meeting with international partners to reiterate our shared asks to secure stronger horticultural supply chains is an important moment. Our relationship with European and international trade bodies remains vital to the UK environmental horticulture sector. Working together has helped ensure policymakers understand the real-world challenges businesses face and the practical steps needed to support growth across the supply chain.

“Bringing partners together at Chelsea is a chance to take stock of progress and underline what the sector needs next. 12 months on from the commitment to pursue an SPS agreement, businesses now want certainty on how and when new arrangements will be put in place.

“Environmental horticulture needs a framework that reduces unnecessary border friction, restores confidence, supports investment and improves trade flows as quickly as possible.

“Progress on plant health and phytosanitary measures is urgently needed, but businesses also need clear guidance and a workable route to implementation so they can plan with confidence for the future.”

Matthijs Mesken, Director of VGB and President of Union Fleurs, said:

“It is very beneficial to come together as international representatives from across the horticultural and floricultural sectors, especially at such a great event as the Chelsea Flower Show. The close cooperation and alignment between organisations from the UK and across Europe have proven highly valuable over recent years, playing an important role in supporting the upcoming EU–UK SPS deal, as outlined in the Common Understanding reached a year ago.

“We will continue this cooperation while engaging with policymakers on both sides of the Channel to help ensure that the SPS negotiations are successfully concluded and implemented as quickly as possible, so that the practical benefits of the agreement can reach businesses throughout the supply chain as soon as possible.

“The floriculture sector across Europe and the UK would greatly benefit from common standards and predictable trading conditions. Efficiency and predictability are critical for businesses in our sector dealing with highly perishable goods, and the SPS zone supports an integrated and efficient supply chain. It will improve import and export flows by reducing unnecessary costs and administrative burdens. Its benefits would extend even further, as the wider global supply chain would also benefit from the clarity, predictability, and operational stability that one common phytosanitary area would provide.”