Context
McIntyre Fruit in Scotland reported it is easier to supply Japan than send plants to Coleman’s garden centre in South Antrim. The company has seen orders cancelled due to administrative paperwork errors. Ewing’s Seafoods had a container of fresh fish returned from Belfast to Scotland.
Question
What assessment has the Minister made of the adequacy of support available to Scottish plant and seed nurseries to sell products to Northern Ireland? McIntyre Fruit finds it easier to supply Japan than send plants to Coleman’s garden centre in South Antrim, and orders are being cancelled due to administrative issues. Ewing’s Seafoods had a container of fresh fish returned from Belfast to Scotland.
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Kirsty McNeill)
I would be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman, but let me reassure him: the horticultural working group, co-chaired by senior officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Cabinet Office, was set up specifically to tackle issues involving the movement of seeds to consumers in Northern Ireland as a first priority. The working group meets regularly to address such issues, and includes representatives of the Ulster Farmers Union, the National Farmers Union and the Horticultural Trades Association, as well as business leaders and representatives of a small number of other horticultural businesses.
How: Working With Partners
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