Britain’s flower imports from the EU will face reduced border checks from later this month after Defra agreed to reduce testing rates for key flower species, easing costs and disruption to the floriculture trade.
The changes are expected to reduce delays and costs for florists and wholesalers, as many companies across the supply chain continue to face margin pressure.
The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has announced that the testing rate for four popular EU flower varieties will drop from 3% to 1% from 12:01 am on 19 January 2026.
The reduced tax rate will apply to dianthus, gypsophila, orchids and goldenrod, and the FPC will be a significant boost for exporters, wholesalers and florists, he said.
The inspection level for chrysanthemums will remain at 3%, but lisianthus will continue to be reviewed.
This decision was made following submission of technical evidence by the FPC and continued engagement with Defra authorities, and is seen as clear support for a risk-based approach to plant health management.
The FPC said the measures are expected to reduce unnecessary friction at borders while maintaining robust biosecurity, with cost savings spreading throughout the supply chain and benefiting consumers.
Nigel Jenny, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said the announcement was a timely boost for an industry under pressure.
“This is a real positive and real outcome for the industry at a time when many businesses are under enormous pressure,” he said.
He added that the decision shows that proportionate border controls can protect biosecurity “without putting unnecessary burdens on trade.”
Jenny also thanked the British Florists Association for their constructive support during discussions with the Government.
The industry response has been strongly supportive. Tom Brown, managing director of Tom Brown Wholesale Florist, said the changes reflected long-overdue common sense.
“It’s great to see the government finally listening to industry and applying a bit of common sense,” he said.
“A 65% reduction in four out of five problem varieties is a huge victory, especially at a time when the entire industry can really step up.”
John Davidson, chairman of the British Florists Association, said the measures would bring tangible benefits to the industry as a whole.
“These new measures will not only reduce testing frequency, but will also result in significant cost savings that will ripple across the industry,” he said.
He added that members hope this announcement will be the start of further evidence-based decisions.
The move also adds impetus to a broader UK and EU reconfiguration of sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements.
With fresh fruit and vegetables already benefiting from easements and flowers moving to zero or very low inspection rates, cumulative savings in border bureaucracy are estimated to be worth more than £1.5bn to industry by the time a formal SPS agreement is signed later this year.
Looking to the future, the FPC said more than half of imports of fresh produce, flowers and plants are sourced from outside the EU and future policy needs to continue to reflect the UK’s globally diverse supply base.
The report said maintaining a science-driven, risk-based testing regime is essential to safeguard year-round availability, supply chain resilience and price stability.
Industry leaders said the decision will stabilize the supply chain and improve confidence across the floriculture industry in the coming months.
