POTATO SUPPLIERS URGED TO ATTEND DEFRA BRIEFING

CHANGES TO PLANT HEALTH FEES WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS, POTATO GROWERS AND SUPPLIERS TOLD

THE Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has urged all its members operating in the fresh potato sector to attend a crucial DEFRA event on proposed changes to plant health fees – a move that could significantly impact the fresh produce and horticulture sectors.

Scheduled for Thursday, March 6 from 10:15am to 12:30pm, the session will provide businesses with insights into DEFRA’s fee proposals, helping them understand the financial and operational implications while offering a direct platform to raise concerns with policymakers. DEFRA officials will outline the proposed fee adjustments, giving attendees the chance to engage in discussions and question the rationale behind the changes.

The proposed changes include the following:

• Import fees – Current fees £4.5M set to rise to £10.6M
• Export fees – Current fees £2.8M set to rise to £ £4.1M
• EU fresh produce imports estimated at 54,865 consignments by APHA
• Annual consignment imports approx. cut flowers 28k,Fruit & Veg 194k, Plants 65k

The event will take place at the Holiday Inn, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough from 10.15am to 12.30pm.

Photo: Mads Eneqvist

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