.png)
The British tomato industry is grappling with severe disruptions due to post-Brexit seed import protocols, threatening both economic stability and crop yields.
Lengthy testing and release procedures at the border have caused significant delays, affecting the timely sowing and delivery of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants to growers.
Despite concerted efforts by industry stakeholders and governmental bodies such as the NFU, Defra, and APHA to resolve these issues, the industry's pleas for timely contract agreements with UK retailers grow ever more urgent.
To avert further economic strain, retailer programmes and contracts for the 2025 British Tomato Season must be finalised by the end of September 2024.
Economic Fallout from Regulatory Hurdles
The labyrinthine import regulations instituted post-Brexit necessitate additional seed testing, causing extensive delays in the release of seeds to British propagators.
Growers are reporting delivery delays of up to six weeks, primarily due to prolonged pathogen testing times. These delays wreak havoc on crop programming and planning, leading to significant financial repercussions. Historical patterns of late contract placements by UK retailers exacerbate the situation, leaving little room for flexibility.
Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), criticises these regulatory hurdles as "one of countless examples of the poorly implemented UK Border Strategy. All of the self-inflicted issues and avoidable costs were known yet industry solutions have to date simply been ignored."
Compounding Pressures
For growers, who are already operating under tight timelines and narrow margins, these import delays represent an additional layer of economic pressure. The situation is precarious, as it risks discouraging European seed suppliers from engaging with the UK market.
Jenney further notes that "the previous Government knowingly implemented the world’s most expensive border solution imposing huge delays and unaffordable costs on industry and UK consumers.
"Without immediate change, the horticulture industry remains compromised by self-imposed measures imposed by the UK Government. These undermine both domestic production and international trade, which are essential to feed and flower our nation."
Steps Toward Resolution
The industry is taking proactive measures to mitigate these challenges:
Impact Assessment: Gathering data on growers' experiences to pinpoint delays and assess their impact.
Engagement with Fera Science Ltd: Collaborating to expedite seed testing processes.
Advocacy: Highlighting the broader implications of the issue to the NFU, beyond just tomato seeds.
Government Liaison: Working with Defra, PHSI, and APHA to emphasise the economic significance of the delays.
Forum Formation: Establishing a forum for all protected edible growers to join, including NFU representatives, to compile evidence of issues at Border Control Posts (BCPs) and present it to Defra.
Urgent Reforms Required
To navigate the crisis, the industry calls for:
Streamlined Collaboration: Enhanced cooperation between Defra, PHSI, and APHA with growers to resolve current delays, which are causing considerable financial and scheduling challenges.
Sustainable Process Reform: Reforming procedures to ensure sustainability, minimise delays, and provide predictability.
Protocol Enhancements: Improvements should include:
High biosecurity assurance
Clear guidelines on seed testing quantities
Transparent timelines for delays
Increased resource allocation if needed
Enhanced protocol efficiency
Retailer Commitment: Retailer customers must finalise agreements for the 2025 season by the end of September 2024 to facilitate better planning for growers.
Jenney sees a potential silver lining however, stating, "This is a fantastic opportunity for the new Government to empower all aspects of the fresh produce and flower sector to maximise domestic and international trade whilst kick-starting UK exports."
Comments