HTA comments on Government response to EFRA report on UK-EU SPS agreement
17 April 2026
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has commented on the Government’s response to the EFRA Committee report on negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU.
Sally Cullimore, Technical and Trade Policy Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said:
"We are very clear that we will welcome a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement that removes costly burdens and barriers for our member businesses and the sector. As highlighted in the Government’s response, this is a complex and far-reaching issue. Businesses need detailed information to prepare, adapt, and understand the UK’s new biosecurity measures.
“The Government must move swiftly on the phytosanitary aspects of the agreement, by implementing a pragmatic approach, and changes to remove checks at the border for our members, as soon as possible. We also recommend exercising caution when introducing new regulations, such as those related to plant protection products and plant variety rights. These will require managed transitions that operate after an agreement comes into force, which is expected in mid-2027.
“For this to succeed, the Government and its agencies must continue to work in partnership with the HTA and our members to ensure our sector’s needs are met.”