The Looming Price Of Brexit

Industry leaders talk of added expenses and uncertainty

Lost business and an atmosphere of uncertainty are just two of the early effects of Brexit on horticultural brands, according to two industry insiders.

Rising prices hitting consumer pockets are another danger, as is the potential loss of certain seed varieties due to added costs and admin brought about by new regulations imposed since the UK left the European Union.

An added burden are the phytosanitary certificates and Animal and Plant Health Agency inspections that now have to be carried out on every single order travelling from the UK to another country, even Northern Ireland.

These costs are the reason why AG free seeds are no longer attached to copies heading over the Irish Sea.

Peter McDermott, managing director of YouGarden described the effects of Brexit as ‘awful’.

He said: “If we had gone into this idiocy that has been allowed to happen without taking countermeasures it would cost us £1 million a year.

Smaller businesses will suffer

“Now although we can still trade with customers in Ireland and Northern Ireland there would be a levy of £150 per order shipped to them because of the additional phytosanitary certificates and APHA inspections. The people of Northern Ireland have basically been screwed and hung out to dry.”