The Windsor Framework was meant to smooth trade between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI), but for plant lovers and online retailers, it’s been more of a thorn than a solution. While garden centres benefit from relaxed rules, online plant sales remain tangled in red tape.
Florists, horticulturists, and growers in NI still struggle to buy plants from GB. Trade restrictions force businesses to make costly changes or shut down sales entirely. The government insists the framework is the best path forward, but experts disagree.
Strict Laws and Costly Passports
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) recently told members of Parliament that online plant sales from GB to NI are nearly impossible under current rules. Even with some trade easements, online retailers face strict labelling laws and costly plant passports for each parcel.
Garden centres in NI now find it easier to stock plants, but this doesn’t help consumers who prefer buying online. Businesses selling by mail order face extra costs, leading some to stop NI sales entirely.
The real problem is that every plant shipment still requires a certification process, adding time, cost, and bureaucracy. The government promises solutions, but businesses argue the Windsor Framework isn’t working.
Post-Brexit Struggles
Before Brexit, NI buyers could easily order plants from GB retailers. Now, due to new trade barriers, online orders face complex requirements. Businesses must either invest in an NI distribution centre or stop shipping to NI altogether.
For many, the cost of setting up new facilities isn’t worth it. The HTA warns that unless a better trade deal is reached, online plant sales will continue to wither.
The UK government is working on a new agri-food deal with the EU, which could ease plant trade restrictions. Until then, online sales remain an expensive gamble.
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