🌱 Horticulture Trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• The parliamentary session focused on the challenges faced by the horticultural trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a sector that supports over 700,000 jobs across the UK but struggles due to the post-Brexit trade protocol.

• Mr Gregory Campbell highlighted that while there have been some improvements since the protocol was introduced, significant hurdles remain for small and medium-sized horticultural businesses in facilitating trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

• Issues raised included difficulties in sourcing seeds and plants, bureaucratic obstacles, and the inability of some businesses to supply Northern Ireland due to the protocol’s regulations. This was illustrated by examples such as a Scottish supplier finding it easier to send plants to Japan than Northern Ireland.

• The impact of these trade barriers extends beyond commerce, affecting rehabilitation initiatives like the tree nursery project in Magilligan prison, which struggles to source necessary saplings from UK suppliers.

• Jim Shannon pointed out ongoing frustrations, such as consumers’ inability to purchase seeds that pose no risk to the EU, and called for a more common-sense approach to alleviate these issues.

• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson, acknowledged the challenges and emphasized the importance of constructive solutions. She highlighted the efforts of the horticultural working group and recent progress, such as lifting the ban on two more plant species.

• The Minister also discussed ongoing scientific assessments to resolve issues with further plant species and the government’s commitment to supporting the internal market while respecting international law.

• Despite some advancements, such as the introduction of the Northern Ireland plant health label scheme that facilitates the movement of seed potatoes, there is still a considerable amount of work needed to resolve ongoing issues, particularly in business-to-consumer sales.

• Members of Parliament expressed the need for urgent action and a more effective resolution to the trade barriers, emphasizing that these problems affect everyone in Northern Ireland regardless of political persuasion.

The parliamentary session on horticulture trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland exhibits a moderate level of disagreement, warranting a rating of 2. While there is considerable emphasis on the shared concerns and frustrations regarding the bureaucratic challenges and the impact on local businesses and consumers, the predominant tone of the exchanges is one of constructive criticism and shared advocacy for improvement rather than outright hostility or significant divergence of opinions.

Examples of minor disagreements and areas of concern include:

1. Jim Shannon’s Intervention: He expresses frustration over the slow pace of progress in resolving the trade issues, suggesting that the government’s efforts are inadequate. He states, ‘consumers in Northern Ireland are still finding it impossible to procure seeds for plants that simply pose no risk to the EU, which is absolutely frustrating.’ However, this is more an expression of shared frustration rather than a direct disagreement with the stance of other members.

2. Robin Swann’s Contribution: He highlights specific bureaucratic challenges faced by a garden centre in his constituency, reinforcing the points made by Mr. Campbell but not contradicting or challenging them. He adds to the discussion by stating that ‘it is easier for that Scottish supplier to send plants to Japan than to send them 14 miles across the water to Northern Ireland,’ which aligns with the overarching theme of frustration against the status quo.

3. Carla Lockhart’s Concern: She points out that despite the Northern Ireland plant health label scheme, some businesses still experience significant difficulties. However, her call for the minister to visit and address these issues directly indicates a desire for resolution rather than a point of serious contention.

Throughout the session, the MPs from various constituencies largely agree on the problematic aspects of the current trade arrangements and the need for action. There are no instances of strong opposition to the views presented, but rather a collective urging for better solutions and more effective government intervention. The minister’s responses acknowledge the issues raised and demonstrate a willingness to engage further with stakeholders, which helps in maintaining a low level of disagreement.

The rating of 2 reflects a session with minimal internal friction yet a clear call for collaborative efforts to resolve ongoing issues.