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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the adequacy of Government biosecurity and plant health strategies from a contraction in the size and output of the domestic ornamental horticulture sector as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

COVID-19 represents a significant challenge to daily life and every part of the economy, including the ornamental horticulture sector. The Government continues to work closely with representatives from the horticulture supply chain to assess the short-term and long-term impacts on the sector.

We have robust policies and strategies in place to protect the UK’s plant biosecurity and we continually review any wider impacts that our plant biosecurity approach may have on industry sectors and other stakeholder groups, including as a result of COVID-19. Defra officials meet frequently with relevant organisations to discuss such developments through the UK Plant Health Advisory Forum.