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Windsor Framework 'didn't solve plant sales problem'

John Campbell
BBC News NI economics and business editor
Getty Images A person is holding potted flowers. In front of them and behind them, are wooden tables with rows of potted plants and flowers.Getty Images
The Horticultural Trades Association says "there is no solution that is available for this issue that does not involve significant investment and cost for businesses"

The Windsor Framework has not provided a solution for Northern Ireland consumers who want to buy plants from online retailers in GB, a trade body has told MPs.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) made the comment in its submission to an inquiry being held by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.

It said the situation remains "impossible" for some retailers.

The framework is Northern Ireland's post-Brexit deal, which covers trade and human rights.

What is the post-Brexit deal?

Getty Images A worker attaches a plant passports to plants at a nursery. A hand is holding a piece of paper attached to a plant.Getty Images
The government says it is committed to "the full and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework as the only credible and sustainable solution for NI

It is an amended version of Northern Ireland's original Brexit deal, the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It created a trade border between GB and NI as the way to prevent a hard border between NI and the Republic of Ireland.

That created significant problems for businesses like NI garden centres, which faced a range of new labelling and inspection rules, as well as an outright ban on selling some plants from GB.

The framework, which was agreed by the UK and EU in 2023, included some significant measures to ease the trade in plants and seeds from GB to NI.

This included a simplification of labelling rules.

'Investment and cost'

Getty Images A close up of a hand holding a handful of tiny orange seeds. There's a wedding ring on the second finger. Plants and flowers are in the background.Getty Images
The HTA says "the only solution" is for businesses to pay for a NI distribution centre for their goods and despatch consumer packs from there

However, the HTA said while the easements have helped physical retailers, like garden centres, they are "no solution" for plants sold online from GB or mail order retailers to NI consumers.

It said that this is because every individual parcel still requires an official plant certificate.

It assesses that "the only solution" is for businesses to pay for an NI distribution centre for their goods and dispatch consumer packs from there.

It added: "There is no solution that is available for this issue that does not involve significant investment and cost for businesses, if they are even willing to make that investment."

The government says it is committed to "the full and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework as the only credible and sustainable solution for Northern Ireland, ensuring smooth trade and the avoidance of a hard border."

It is also seeking a new agri-food deal with the EU.

Such a deal could help remove many of the checks and controls on plants and food products being sent from GB to NI.