The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) hosted a crucial webinar on 5 February, focusing on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The session, held in partnership with APHA, Border Force, and Defra, aimed to tackle compliance challenges affecting florists, flower growers, and horticulturists.
More than 70 attendees from the UK and EU joined the webinar to get the latest updates on CITES regulations, permits, and upcoming reforms. Industry pros connected with top speakers from Defra, APHA, and Border Force, diving into key policies that shape how flora moves across UK borders.
Navigating CITES Rules: Insights from Experts
Regulatory hurdles continue to impact those handling CITES-listed plants, including florists, growers, and landscapers. The HTA webinar gave attendees firsthand insights into compliance requirements, permit processes, and future policy changes.
Guest speakers Alex Brook (Defra), Lydia Andrews (APHA), and Ann Ainslie (Border Force) addressed common concerns and highlighted proposals aimed at simplifying plant trade regulations. Discussions covered permit processing times, enforcement policies, and legislative updates that could benefit the floral and horticulture industry.
The HTA has repeatedly voiced the sector’s frustrations with slow permit approvals and paper-based processes. Industry professionals raised concerns over bureaucratic delays that make importing and exporting plants more complicated than necessary.
Faster, Digital Plant Trade Permits
A key takeaway from the webinar was HTA’s push for a streamlined, digital CITES permit process. The association continues to press for faster import approvals, a fully digitised system, and reduced restrictions on certain plant trades.
HTA’s Technical Policy Manager, Sally Cullimore, welcomed Defra’s proposal to remove the need for import permits for some artificially propagated plants. She also highlighted plans for a new consultation in spring, which may lead to significant trade improvements for flower businesses.
For florists and growers, these potential changes could mean less red tape, quicker approvals, and a more efficient supply chain. With Defra considering semi-completed permits for live plants, the industry could soon see a more flexible and trade-friendly system. HTA members can access the webinar recording on the HTA website for further details.
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