Around 80% of cut flowers in the UK come from the Netherlands, according to the British Florist Association, and post-Brexit trading rules are making sellers nervous.
From today, all fresh European plant and animal products imported into the UK must be checked directly at the UK border for disease. This includes milk, meat – and flowers.
Dutch exporters of flowers and plants are expecting delays of several days and say British consumers will soon have to pay more.
Under the initial post-Brexit regime, checks on perishable goods were allowed to be carried out close to delivery addresses in thousands of locations across the UK. But now the numerous checkpoints at destinations are being replaced by a few centralized checkpoints at ports and airports.
For flowers and plants, this means that inspection now takes place immediately when the cargo is disembarked from the ferry. And the prospect of fewer checkpoints and more inspections is making the Dutch flower and plant sector nervous.
Leon Verschoor of Royal Lemkes de Bleiswijk has been one of the largest exporters to the UK for decades. It supplies, among other things, palm trees, olive trees, cacti and orchids to large chains of furniture stores and DIY stores.
He said English consumers have already seen a 5% price increase due to Brexit – and this will only increase.
“Now this will increase by another 5 percent, because all inspections are carried out in the Netherlands, and now, in 24 hours, exactly the same inspection will be repeated in England,” he explained.
There are also concerns on the British side.
RBF Cargocare is the company responsible for customs clearance at the Port of Felixstowe, which means providing hauliers with the documents they need to transport their goods further into the country.
“From day one, in addition to additional costs, there will undoubtedly be delays,” said RBF director Jon Beech.
“You won’t be able to buy everything you want whenever you want if you buy plants and flowers. »
Asked about the impact on the price of plants and flowers, Beech is clear: “The price will undoubtedly increase. »
