Much uncertainty in the flower industry about new inspections in the UK

The controls, which are intended to combat the risk of diseases and pests, will be introduced as a result of Brexit. Since the end of January, the animal and plant products in question have already required a certificate. This is now being expanded with a physical check. This concerns five types of cut flowers, including chrysanthemums, carnations and baby’s breath. According to Mesken, these are in 80 percent of the exported bouquets. This also concerns chilled and frozen meat and fish and dairy products. Plants, which pose a higher risk than flowers, will also be checked at the ports from Tuesday. Until now, this only happened at the destination.

Mesken expects that the inspections will lead to problems, such as congestion, spoilage of products, extra costs and late deliveries to customers. “Sometimes as many as 150 trucks with flowers and plants arrive at the same time. Of these, 100 percent of the plants and an expected 3 to 10 percent of the flowers are checked. The question is, which ones do they take out? And what if the refrigerated trucks are outside in have to wait for the sun? What consequences does that have for the quality?”

Congestions

According to the director, the British authorities have said that in the event of congestion, trucks carrying flowers may pass through unnoticed. “But then you get arbitrariness,” says Mesken, who also wonders about the waiting and working times of drivers. “They are also at a loss.”

According to the director, an inspection costs around 500 to 1000 euros. “That could easily be about 3 percent of the value.” Mesken points out that exporters often made agreements with their customers a long time ago and cannot simply adjust the price. Moreover, an inspection has already taken place in the Netherlands before the flowers and plants go to their destination, according to Mesken.

Trade agreement

He wants to ultimately see a trade agreement again, like the one before Brexit. “It has gone well for forty years without inspections, let’s make agreements so that this is possible again in the future.”