Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU Flowering Bulb Imports

Thursday 22 April 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Physical inspections of high-priority plants from the EU, including flowering bulbs, have caused delays and difficulties since January 1, 2021.
  • Plant-health requirements for dormant bulbs differ from those for bulbs in growth, complicating export processes.
  • The minister's officials are willing to discuss specific issues with constituents directly, addressing concerns raised in the trade.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Pauline Latham Con
Brexit Business & Trade Environment
Context

The question arises due to concerns about biosecurity and trade facilitation issues following changes in import regulations on 1 January.

Question

I am concerned that physical inspections of high-priority plants, including flowering bulbs from the EU, have taken place at their destination since 1 January. However, this has caused delays and difficulties for businesses involved in the trade. What steps is he taking to improve the domestic inspection process?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

It is true that the plant-health requirements for dormant bulbs are different from those for bulbs in growth, leading to complexities in the export process. My officials and I are willing to discuss directly with my hon. Friend's constituents the specific issues raised. We continue to have discussions with our counterparts in EU about simplifying export processes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide concrete plans or timelines for discussing simplification of trade with EU counterparts.

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Q2 Pauline Latham Con
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The bulb organisation reported that people have left the trade due to difficulties, including prohibitions on exporting bulbs with soil and extensive inspections.

Question

I am told that a couple of individuals have left the trade because it is not worth their while. The export of bulbs in growth, which have soil on them, is now prohibited except under specific conditions, sometimes leading to 1,000 boxes needing inspection. What plans does my hon. Friend have to discuss with her EU counterparts the prospect of simplifying the trade in flowering bulbs?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The plant-health requirements for dormant bulbs differ from those for bulbs in growth, leading to complexities in export processes. My officials and I are willing to discuss directly with my hon. Friend's constituents the specific issues raised. We continue to have discussions with our counterparts in EU about simplifying these export processes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide concrete plans or timelines for discussing simplification of trade with EU counterparts.

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How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

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