The rules for importing seeds from the EU could lead to weeks of delays and have serious consequences for cultivation and financial returns, two British agricultural associations warned in the Guardian newspaper.
Since April 30, imports of animal and plant products from the EU have been subject to controls. Some seeds, including tomatoes, peppers and rapeseed, have to be tested not only in the country of origin but also in the UK, said Phil Morley of the British Tomato Growers Association. The resulting delay threatens British food safety because even more imports are now necessary.
British tomato and pepper producers rely on importing seeds or young plants from EU countries such as the Netherlands. The associations are calling for an agreement with the EU on the mutual recognition of testing standards.
Left the EU in 2021
Great Britain has not been a member of the EU internal market and customs union since 2021. Despite a free trade agreement, more bureaucracy and new tariffs in some areas have hampered bilateral trade since then.
In another area, however, Great Britain is moving closer to the EU, as the portal “Politico” reported. A new legislative package is intended to simplify alignment with EU standards. “For the first time since Brexit, the British government has explicitly stated that it wants to actively align itself with the new EU regulations in order to make life easier for companies,” said Joël Reland from the think tank UK in a Changing Europe.
Trade lawyer George Peretz said the law could be a first step towards a so-called SPS agreement with the EU. This would facilitate controls on food as well as on live animals, feed, plants or seeds.