On 4 November, the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA)’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Jennifer Pheasey, welcomed His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe, Ceri Morgan, alongside partners from Union Fleurs, VGB and Royal Flora Holland at the annual Trade Fair Aalsmeer in the Netherlands.

The visit, held during International Trade Week, recognised the vast significance of UK-EU horticultural trading supply chains and business relationships.

The Commissioner toured the trade fair and met with several businesses before delivering the opening address at a roundtable discussion with leading organisations. The high-level visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the UK’s ambitions for the EU-UK reset in trade relations.

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the HTA, commented: 

“The visit from the UK’s Trade Commissioner for Europe, Ceri Morgan, was a significant opportunity for her to see first-hand a diverse range of horticulture and floricultural products and, more importantly, to speak to businesses facing numerous trading challenges and also future opportunities.

“As the HTA representative for UK environmental horticulture, I was able to set out the trade barriers our members currently face and express our clear ambitions to boost British horticulture. These ambitions are critical: we seek swift delivery and implementation of the EU-UK reset aims for a common SPS area to remove bureaucracy and border costs, easements and action on challenges faced today at UK borders, as well as close collaboration with the industry to ensure full preparedness for future opportunities to export more, trade more and grow UK horticulture.”

Recent HTA trade work - delivering for UK horticulture 

The HTA continues to keep international trade high on the agenda, working closely with UK members and European partners to address ongoing challenges in horticultural trade between the UK and the EU. The association also plays an active role in the UK Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) as part of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Last month, Jennifer represented the HTA at GreenItaly, where she discussed key trade issues, including costs, delays, damages, and the capacity of Border Control Posts. Strengthening these international links further, the HTA’s Technical and Trade Policy Manager, Sally Cullimore, visited the Netherlands and Belgium to meet European counterparts, nurseries, and suppliers, and attended a high-profile reception hosted by the UK Ambassador to the Netherlands.

The HTA also recently welcomed Union Fleurs – the International Flower Trade Association – to the UK for a visit to New Covent Garden Market, which included discussions with Defra’s Lizzie Chatterjee on border challenges, SPS negotiations, and the UK-EU Reset. The HTA also joined global sector representatives at the AIPH Annual Congress in Ghent. Collectively, these activities highlight the HTA’s leadership in driving forward international collaboration and ensuring UK environmental horticulture remains globally connected.

The HTA has also welcomed the publication of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee report, ‘UK-EU Trade: Towards a Resilient Border Strategy’, which concluded that the UK’s commercial animal and plant imports system is “inadequate” and lacking effective oversight. The HTA submitted detailed written and oral evidence to the Committee, and is pleased that the final report reflects several of its key recommendations. These include adopting a hybrid inspection model that combines Border Control Post and Place of Destination inspections to reduce plant damage, delays, and improve biosecurity; recognising the increased costs, administrative burdens, and supply chain disruption facing horticultural SMEs; and calling for greater transparency and consultation, including the publication of quarterly inspection data and closer collaboration between Defra and industry.

The environmental horticulture sector continues to be significantly affected by the current border regime, with regular reports of delays, damage, and added costs. The HTA strongly supports the UK–EU reset announced in May 2025, which, once implemented, should help remove barriers and bureaucracy for the trade of plants and plant products. In the meantime, the HTA continues to urge the government to explore all possible easements to support SMEs facing uncertainty and competitive pressures.

A well-functioning border system must safeguard biosecurity, restore business confidence, and support long-term competitiveness. The HTA is actively working with government agencies to identify issues raised by members and to seek swift, practical resolutions.

Later today, Sally Cullimore will attend a Business Exchange with the Economic and Trade Section of the EU Delegation to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. This is expected to be the first in a series of meetings aimed at strengthening collaboration as UK–EU trade discussions continue.

HTA members can get updates via the HTA website and also download the HTA's position paper on the forthcoming SPS Agreement.