James Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) said: "We now have a little more clarity on processes the garden industry can expect to encounter at the border after 1 January 2021. However, there is still much to be done by Government to work with us to ensure inspection processes for plants are risked-based and proportionate; how plants will be treated entering and moving within the island of Ireland? How new IT systems actually work in practice?

"The sector trades in perishable products, so we need an approach that minimises delays as much as possible. 

“Ensuring additional cost and regulatory burdens are kept to an absolute minimum is crucial to ensuring we have a sector that is vibrant and outlooking, that can help power a green economic recovery for the UK.”