The UK fresh produce and cut flower industries are facing “exorbitant and unnecessary” hikes in statutory plant health inspection fees.
Certain lines facing are facing hikes of almost 300 per cent in costs to import - “excessive costs for what continues to be a highly inefficient service,” according to the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC).
The charges relate to a range of products including those that require a phytosanitary certificate, documentary, identity and plant health checks. The proposals are a move towards full cost recovery, and come less than a year after an increase imposed on the industry to reflect changes in the sterling to euro exchange rate.
Among the proposals are a 463 per cent increase for plant health checks; an 11 per cent increase for identity and documentary checks and plant passport fees are to see an 112 per cent increase in fees for inspections;
Import services for potatoes originating from Egypt are to see a 273 per cent increase under the proposals while licence fees would go up 300 per cent
FPC CEO Nigel Jenney said: “Fera should look to make efficiencies and target its resources towards where the real problems lie.”
“Some sectors of the industry will have a real difficulty absorbing these costs, and it will make the UK less competitive, pushing trade elsewhere in Europe.
“The industry has been paying out for years for an incomplete service, with issues relating to IT and delays in completion of checks. As a customer our industry expects a far better level of service.”
“After years of poor performance Fera has accumulated a large financial reserve, with many physical inspections not taking place but charges being levied regardless. Based on actual physical inspection levels we estimate that the industry has funded around £5 million since the inception of charging.”
The risk of any plant health issues arising from fresh produce is believed to be less than one per cent. FPC believes that Fera should focus its resources where there are real risks and deliver a more efficient cost-effective service to responsible importers and their agents.
“Fera should be seeking minimise costs and delays in clearance by working with other government departments and agencies to fast-track the delivery of the Assured Trader Scheme which recognises the high standards of reputable traders,” added Jenney.
FPC is rejecting the proposals to increase statutory charges and is calling for Fera to introduce efficiencies in its service and reduce the frequency of checks on “reputable traders”.
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