HTA welcomes SPS call for information and urges clarity for horticulture businesses
9 March 2026
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has welcomed a government Call for Information, which asks businesses to prepare for the proposed UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, while continuing to stress the importance of clear and timely guidance for the environmental horticulture sector.
The call, launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is part of preparations for a new SPS/plant health agreement between the UK and the European Union. The government has now indicated timelines, with negotiations expected to conclude in 2026 and the agreement potentially entering into force in mid-2027.
Alongside the call, Defra has also published a list of legislation expected to fall within the scope of negotiations. This helps provide businesses with an initial indication of the regulatory framework that may apply in the future.
For horticulture, the list confirms that alignment would cover several key areas, including a return to applying the EU’s plant health legislation, the Forestry Reproductive Material and Ornamental Plant Material regulations, plant protection products (PPPs), and plant variety rights.
This will also mean the use of plant passports to cover the movements of plants within the UK-EU plant health zone, alongside a National Notification Scheme to maintain biosecurity when high-risk plants are moved.
The implications of alignment on plant protection products could be wide-ranging, affecting both growers and manufacturers, as updates to approval processes will be needed alongside adherence to EU rules governing the marketing and use of these products.
Aligning on plant variety rights and seed marketing rules could also improve access to markets for plant breeders and simplify the process of importing and exporting seed varieties.
The HTA has been calling for the government to publish the legislation expected to be in scope so that businesses can begin assessing the implications. While the publication of the list is helpful, the association notes that businesses will need time to fully digest the details and understand how the changes could affect their operations.
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the HTA, said:
“We welcome the launch of Defra’s call for information and the publication of the legislation expected to be in scope of the SPS negotiations. Our members have been asking for this clarity so they can begin to understand what the future framework for plant trade may look like. Early and clear communication is key for successful preparation for the future arrangements.
“While there are few surprises in the list, understanding the detail will take time, as will adapting where regulations differ, and the implications could be significant in areas such as plant protection products, plant passports and plant variety rights.
“It is encouraging that the government is engaging with businesses early. The consultation period is relatively short, but we are keen to ensure the horticulture sector contributes evidence so the practical realities of plant production and trade are fully understood.
“We will be supporting our members through the process, including a webinar this week, and encouraging businesses to respond either directly or through the HTA so the government has a clear picture of how the sector will be affected.”
The Defra Call for Information runs for six weeks, from 9 March to 23 April, and aims to gather evidence from businesses about how the agreement could affect them and what support may be needed to prepare.
The agreement is expected to cover a wide range of agri-food regulations, including plant and animal health, food and feed safety, pesticide regulation, and broader food labelling and marketing rules.
The HTA is encouraging members to engage with the Call for Information and will host a members-only webinar on Wednesday, 11 March at 3pm to discuss the new information and provide further clarity on what it may mean for the sector. Members can email [email protected] to obtain a link to the Teams meeting.
The HTA will continue working with the government as negotiations progress to ensure the needs of horticulture businesses are fully considered.