Industry Bodies Gather at the EU’s Home in the UK to Reiterate their Call for a Timely and Robust EU–UK SPS Agreement

The UK’s Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), Union Fleurs, the European Nurserystock Association (ENA), the Dutch association of wholesalers in floricultural products, VGB, and the industry body for the Dutch bulb and nursery stock sector, Royal Anthos, stood shoulder to shoulder on 29 April at the EU’s home in the UK, the Europe House in London. During an inaugural Flowers and Plants of Europe event, the industry associations urged both EU and UK policymakers to make rapid progress on a comprehensive Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.

With negotiations ongoing and an EU-UK leaders’ summit expected to be a key moment for the deal in July, the associations are working closely to ensure their members can help shape an outcome that supports the future competitiveness of the entire floriculture and horticultural supply chains.

Together, the associations reiterated their joint call on both EU and UK policymakers to swiftly deliver and implement a robust EU-UK SPS Agreement. An agreement that fully covers horticulture and floriculture products and that will secure frictionless trade whilst maintaining biosecurity standards, unlocking longer-term opportunities and benefiting both businesses and consumers.

The trade bodies also urged to involve sector associations to ensure that this Agreement will be grounded in technical details and operational feasibility. They stressed the importance of “workable and effective solutions that genuinely resolve the challenges and frictions the supply chains has been navigating over the last few years”.

Meanwhile, the industry urgently needs “pragmatic measures in both the EU and the UK until the SPS Agreement comes into force”. It is crucial to offer immediate vital relief to businesses through check rate reductions and other measures to reduce unnecessary costs and burdens .

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said: “Smooth, swift and biosecure supply chains are critical to the competitiveness of UK environmental horticulture. We share the ambition for an EU-UK reset, and that early, pragmatic steps can be taken by both the UK and the EU to ease costs and pressure and pave the way for growth opportunities, including for UK exports.

“By working in partnership, collaboratively and constructively, we believe we can unlock much-needed green growth for all those involved in horticultural supply chains, and deliver for UK gardeners, green spaces and support healthier communities.”

Sylvie Mamias, Secretary General of Union Fleurs – International Flower Trade Association, said: “In today’s turbulent environment for international supply chains, the future EU–UK SPS Agreement represents a vital opportunity to restore confidence and optimism for operators in the flowers and plants sector on both sides. By reducing cross-border frictions and providing greater clarity of rules and predictability, it will deliver immediate and tangible relief for businesses while unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth. Beyond their economic value, flowers and plants make a meaningful contribution to society by enhancing wellbeing, supporting greener and more liveable environments, and strengthening people’s connection with nature.

“We are very grateful to the Delegation of the European Union to the UK for highlighting with us the beauty, diversity, and wide-ranging benefits of flowers and plants, and for providing us with visibility and a highly valuable platform to promote continued cooperation and growth across the industry.”

Tim Van Hulle, President of ENA, said: “The ongoing SPS negotiations are in the final straight. We’ll welcome smoother operations for EU nurseries exporting to the UK, as well as improved access for UK nurseries to the EU.

“The agreement will reduce administrative burdens and restore efficient supply chains, benefiting the EU and UK nurseries. We are looking forward to the signing date of the agreement.”

Mark Jan Terwindt, CEO of Royal Anthos, said: “In the fast-changing global landscape, it goes without saying that strong cooperation with neighbours is a necessity, not a luxury. Reaching the SPS-agreement shows there is common ground for such a cooperation, both in the EU and the UK.

“Reaching an agreement is, however, not a finish line, but a starting point to implement the advantages of a low-cost green corridor, with all needed phytosanitary guardrails. This will give the small and intermediate enterprises on both sides of the channel the opportunity to grow into a base for prosperity for the region. With a healthy environment in both the Public and Private landscapes and gardens as a tangible result.”

Tim Rozendal, strategic advisor, VGB, said: “The event is a great opportunity to underline the value of flowers and plants for people, society and the environment.

“As cooperating sector representatives, we are committed to improving trade flows, ensuring supply chains remain efficient, reliable and future-proof, to the benefit of businesses at both sides of the Channel. Our joint call for an SPS agreement is grounded in this shared commitment, and we will continue working together to support its delivery.

“Dutch traders and UK businesses are close and long-standing trade partners. A strong agreement will help further strengthen these ties, ultimately benefiting UK consumers.”