Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing plants, trees, and bulbs

The International Association of Horticultural Producers – AIPH, FloraCulture International and World Horti Center are working together to organise two webinars preparing the global ornamental horticultural industry for Brexit.

We invite plant breeders, growers, traders, auctions, distributors, retailers and the landscape sector to two webinars on Wednesday 2 December and Friday 4 December designed to help the horticultural supply chain understand the changes that will come into effect from 1 January 2021.

‘Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing plants, trees, and bulbs’

The first webinar ‘Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing plants, trees, and bulbs’ is run in association with the UK’s Horticultural Trades Association. It will broadcast live from 3pm CET (Central European Time).

The HTA notes that the UK imports about £350m-worth of plants a year (excluding cut flowers). This figure demonstrates the need for practical preparation on both sides as the EU support mechanisms that have been in place for more than 40 years, and more importantly during the Coronavirus pandemic, won’t be there after 31 December.

Key industry stakeholders will share their research, knowledge, and insight into what the future holds and how the industry needs to prepare, whether or not there is a Brexit deal agreed.

Who is presenting?

• Sally Cullimore, Policy Manager, Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), UK - Brexit challenges for plant/tree/bulb importers/exporters and how the UK production/retail industry is preparing for Brexit
• Eline van den Berg, Supply Chain Public Affairs, Royal FloraHolland, the Netherlands - Impact of Brexit on the market position of the Netherlands in the UK.
• Stefan Koopman, Market Economist UK Rabobank – The macroeconomic effects of trading with the UK post-Brexit
• Bruce Harnett, Managing Director, Kernock Park Plants, UK - What Brexit means for UK growers.
• Henk Westerhof, Anthos (Royal Trade Association for Nursery Stock and Flower Bulbs), the Netherlands - How EU growers are reacting to Brexit.

‘Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing cut flowers'

The second webinar ‘Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing cut flowers” will also broadcast live from 3pm CET (Central European Time).

Who is presenting?

• Nigel Jenney, CEO Fresh Produce Consortium, UK - Brexit challenges for importers/exporters and how the UK production/retail industry is preparing for Brexit.
• Ian Michell, Group Technical & Procurement Director, Flamingo Group, UK - How Brexit could change the supply of flowers to the UK
• Eline van den Berg, Supply Chain Public Affairs, Royal FloraHolland, the Netherlands - Impact of Brexit on the market position of the Netherlands in the UK.
• Stefan Koopman, Market Economist UK Rabobank – The macroeconomic effects of trading with the UK post-Brexit
• Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores, Colombia - Brexit implications for South America.

AIPH Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe comments “These webinars are taking place at a critical time, just one month before trade between the EU and UK will change dramatically. There are many unanswered questions in the trade and concerns about how it will all work as well as the longer-term impact on supply to the UK market. This is a unique opportunity to get the latest update and will be valuable discussions for the entire industry.”

There is no entry cost, and the webinars are English spoken.

For more information about the speakers visit http://aiph.org/current-events/preparing-for-brexit/

To register for Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing plants, trees, and bulbs on Wednesday 2 December visit https://event.webinarjam.com/register/143/plq41t5l

To register for Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing cut flowers on Friday 4 December visit https://event.webinarjam.com/register/142/r4kvlu95