This Is What Progress Looks Like For The UK Flower Trade

The Fresh Produce Consortium’s (FPC) success in securing reduced plant health inspection rates for key EU flower species is being hailed across the sector as far more than a technical policy tweak — it is a high-impact operational win that tackles one of the most stubborn cost and friction points faced by the UK floriculture supply chain since the introduction of post-Brexit border controls.

From 00:01 on 19 January 2026, inspection rates for dianthus (pinks, carnations, sweet williams), gypsophila (baby’s breath), orchidaceae (orchids) and solidago (golden rod) imported from the EU will fall from 3% to 1%, following an evidence-led review by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). Inspection levels for chrysanthemums remain at 3%, while lisianthus remains under review.

Why this matters: less friction, fewer delays, lower costs — fast

For businesses trading in fresh cut flowers, border checks are not an abstract administrative inconvenience. They create real-world exposure to delays, added handling requirements, compliance time, inspection charges, and the constant risk of disruption for product categories that are highly time-sensitive and quality-dependent.

Moving from a 3% inspection rate to 1% represents a meaningful reduction in intervention frequency and associated costs — exactly the kind of improvement that importers, wholesalers, and florists have been calling for as they continue to navigate rising operating expenses and fragile margins.

Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, described the outcome as both timely and evidence-driven:

“This is a genuinely positive and practical outcome for the industry at a time when many businesses are under real pressure. It shows that when evidence, compliance data and constructive engagement are brought together, proportionate border controls can be delivered that protect biosecurity without unnecessarily burdening trade.”

A clear signal: Defra can move when industry evidence is strong

FPC’s win is also strategically significant because it reinforces a point the industry has been making for years: risk-based, science-led border controls must remain dynamic, and inspection rates should reflect real compliance performance and verified risk — not “one-size-fits-all” bureaucracy.

In other words: when the data proves the trade is compliant and the risk is low, the system should respond accordingly.

This shift supports not only smoother day-to-day operations, but also longer-term business confidence — because it demonstrates that effective engagement can produce outcomes that genuinely reduce friction without compromising biosecurity standards.

Industry reaction: “a 65% reduction” and “a huge win”

Reaction from businesses has been swift and strongly supportive.

Tom Brown, Managing Director of Tom Brown Wholesale Florists Ltd, said:

“Great to finally see the government listening to the industry and applying a bit of common sense. A 65% reduction on four of the five problematic varieties is a huge win, especially at a time when the whole sector could really use a boost. Exporters, wholesalers and florists will all benefit from these changes. Big thanks to the FPC for their persistence and sensible approach.”

Meanwhile, British Florist Association (BFA) Chair John Davidson highlighted the scale of benefit expected across the supply chain:

“These new measures will not only reduce inspection frequency but also generate significant cost savings that will ripple throughout the industry.”

Jenney also acknowledged the BFA’s involvement, stating:

“I would also like to thank the British Florist Association for their constructive support throughout this process and for working alongside us in representing the interests of the wider floriculture sector.”

A bigger picture win for borders — and a confidence boost for 2026

The announcement lands as part of broader momentum around improvements to UK border processes affecting perishable plant and produce categories.

FPC has positioned the flowers decision within a wider context of progress under the UK-EU reset on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) arrangements, noting that with easements already supporting fresh fruit and vegetables, the cumulative reduction in border bureaucracy is estimated to be worth more than £1.5 billion ahead of any future SPS agreement.

In practical terms, this is what businesses want to see: policy that reduces friction, improves flow, and creates predictability — especially for sectors where freshness, timing, and supply continuity are everything.

Read Defra's statement here.