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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to consult horticultural businesses in the design and testing of new digital systems and processes for the movement of plants and plant products before those systems become mandatory.

This Government remains committed to delivering for traders and removing unnecessary trade barriers. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement will mean most movements of plants and plant products between Great Britain and the European Union being undertaken without the certificates or SPS border controls that are currently required.

Defra is engaging with key stakeholders to understand business needs ahead of the implementation of the SPS Agreement. This includes plans to work with sector stakeholders on how best to support businesses with preparing for and transitioning to new digital systems and processes under the SPS agreement.