Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that florists maintain an uninterrupted supply of flowers from Europe after the UK leaves the EU.

The Government is committed to securing a deep and special partnership with the EU. Given the EU’s substantial trade surplus with the UK in this sector, it is clear that such a deal is in the interests of both sides and we are confident we can achieve it. The Government is working to ensure that the necessary systems and processes are in place so that trade continues to flow after we leave the EU.

The EU is our biggest trading partner for horticultural products, including flowers. Ensuring as frictionless trade as possible for this sector is particularly important as much of the produce is perishable and time is critical.

In preparing for the UK leaving the EU, we are considering our import controls for plants and their products for a range of scenarios, including a no deal scenario. We will ensure that plant health biosecurity standards will continue to be met in ways that support trade and the smooth flow of goods, as well as minimise new burdens on businesses.