The horticulture and fresh produce sectors are calling for stronger government support to protect growers' businesses, warning that ‘substantial obstacles’ are undermining confidence.

In a joint letter, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) have urged the Labour government to take ‘urgent action’.

The letter refers to issues including rising logistics costs, damaged goods, delays, increased waste and complex paperwork as factors ‘severely impacting’ sector growth and future investment.

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The HTA and FPC also highlight the ‘overwhelming and ongoing failure’ of the UK border strategy introduced by the previous Conservative government.

Consequently, they argue that the UK's business reputation is being ‘tarnished’, business relationships are ‘under strain’ and there is ‘reduced confidence’ in border operations.

The two organisations stress that these challenges affect trade in both edible goods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, and non-edible plants, including cut flowers, planting materials, and mature plants.

In their letter, the HTA and FPC underscore the horticulture and fresh produce sectors' roles in supporting the UK economy, food security and environmental sustainability.

Yet these ‘substantial obstacles’ are compromising food security, delaying progress on the UK's environmental goals and limiting consumer choice.

HTA’s director of public affairs Jennifer Pheasey, called on policymakers to engage with the sector or face ‘increased friction, costs, and damage to the UK's competitiveness’.

"Our sectors face growing pressures from rising costs, supply chain issues, and regulatory changes." she said.

"There is an urgent need for oversight of all trade-related policies, whether trade with Northern Ireland, GB Plant Passport changes, or CITES regulations.

"If these aspects do not function cohesively, we face increased friction, costs, and damage to the UK's competitiveness, which ultimately restricts growth and impacts consumers directly."

CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium Nigel Jenney criticised the UK border strategy from the previous administration as an ‘overwhelming failure’.

He stated: "We simply need an affordable and effective biosecure border which meets the needs of industry and consumers.

"A dynamic industry which is the bedrock of the nation’s food and wellbeing has been knowingly compromised by the previous government.

“It’s essential the nearly new government resolves this chaos soon. While it’s a crisis not of their making, it’s their problem to solve, and it’s been three months."