PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Horticulture: Inspections (14 June 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to begin work with the ornamental horticulture industry on developing a trusted trader inspection regime.

Asked by:
Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative)

GB's plant health regime is risk-based, and the history of compliance of specific trades (where the trade is the combination of a specific commodity from a specific origin), is a significant factor in determining biosecurity risk. Consequently, trades with a proven track record of compliance and meeting prescribed eligibility criteria may be subject to a reduced frequency or intensity of checks.

While the biosecurity risk of imported goods is largely trade based, there are areas where trader considerations may also play a role. For example, as the phased introduction of EU-GB plant health import controls is completed in early 2022, Defra is exploring possible options for performing plant health controls away from the border on a longer-term basis, such as increased uptake in the use of designated plant health Control Points. Eligibility criteria to be designated as a Control Point may include elements consistent with a trusted trader model.

Answered by:
Victoria Prentis (Conservative)
26 August 2021