Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary trade negotiations on the cut flower and plant sector; and when small flower‑selling businesses will be impacted by changes.

The Government is currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and removing trade barriers for British producers and retailers. While those negotiations are ongoing, we cannot comment further on the SPS agreement.

The Government is aiming to conclude negotiations and have legislative arrangements in place no later than 2027, subject to discussion with the EU.