During the peak of Valentine's Day trade in the United Kingdom, a large influx of flowers enters the country, highlighting the importance of a robust SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement to ensure flowers reach British consumers efficiently and affordably.
Dutch traders report generally positive sales, noting that a Saturday Valentine's Day traditionally provides an extra boost, according to VGB. However, companies continue to face challenges in obtaining plant health certificates and navigating border inspections.
Challenges
Meeting peak demand requires that bouquets be produced slightly earlier, while the limited validity of inspections creates logistical difficulties. Smaller shipments to British florists also pose problems: high costs, unpredictable checks and the risk of delays make florists cautious about ordering through Dutch webshops.
VGB welcomed parts of a recent report from the UK EFRA Committee, which recognizes the potential benefits of a UK–EU SPS agreement for trade, businesses and consumers. VGB shares the EFRA Committee's view that, in line with the previous EU–UK Common Understanding, the UK should be allowed targeted exemptions from dynamic alignment with EU rules where it applies higher standards.
Need for equal standards and predictability
For the floriculture sector, such exemptions are largely irrelevant. Predictability and equivalence of standards are crucial for flower trade. From this perspective, VGB does not support a general transition period. If a transitional arrangement is considered necessary to handle unequal standards, it should be sector-specific. A broad implementation period would unnecessarily extend existing border issues.
Suspending controls
VGB advocates for an earlier temporary suspension of checks on the five medium-risk flower categories. While such short-term measures—like previous temporary recognition of UK plant passports or the suspension of inspections for fruit and vegetables—provide only limited relief and leave some uncertainty for businesses, they help remove the most acute obstacles ahead of a full SPS agreement.
Need for a quick and robust SPS deal
A swift and robust SPS deal, establishing a joint phytosanitary zone in which the UK and EU maintain equivalent standards, would provide businesses with the clarity and predictability they need. This is essential to safeguard the continuity of the flower and plant supply chain, even during peak periods such as Valentine's Day.
Such an agreement benefits not only European exporters and British importers but also the UK consumer.
"As far as VGB is concerned, thanks to the upcoming SPS deal or temporary suspensions of inspections while awaiting such a deal, we have experienced the last Valentine's Day with the current supply chain disruptions. This ensures that next time, British consumers can reliably send a fresh bouquet to their loved ones," the organization said.
For more information:
VGB
[email protected]
https://www.vgb.nl/
