Could Brexit scupper red roses for Valentine’s Day? Cambridge MP warns of new border controls ‘disaster’ on imports

“I’m sure people will be receiving bouquets of flowers on Valentine’s Day this year,” said a No 10 spokesperson as Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner raised concerns that new border controls left companies “seriously worried about potential delays”.

Goods from Britain have faced EU controls since it left the bloc’s single market at the start of 2021, and from today (31 January) the UK is introducing new requirements for animal and plant products coming from the other direction. The new border target operating model (BTOM) requires all imported plant and animal products to be categorised as low, medium or high risk.

Medium and high-risk products such as meat and dairy products, as well as most plants, will require export health certificates from plant health inspectors or vets before being transported into the UK.

Trade minister Greg Hands said the border target operating model will “simplify border processes for both imports and exports” but Labour MP Mr Zeichner told the Commons: “Those five-times delayed border checks are coming into effect very soon but those dealing with plant, animal health products are seriously worried about potential delays.

“Indeed, the chair of the Horticultural Trade Association pointed out that the process of importing a petunia from the Netherlands has already increased from 19 to 59 steps, and he warns the new border is a disaster waiting to happen.

“So what’s the minister doing to ensure that we’ll have a plentiful supply of imported red roses for Valentine’s Day, especially for all those Conservatives on the other side who love each other so much?”

Mr Hands replied: “Well, I’m feeling his love this morning, thank you.

“We have consulted very widely on the border target operating model, we’ve put a lot of time and effort and a lot of consultation – we’ve been running webinars, we’ve been putting out leaflets – to make sure businesses are aware and the introduction of this will be staged.

“I think what he needs to be careful about is what Labour’s plan will be because this week the EU ambassador to London revealed the fact that Labour’s desire for a food and veterinary agreement is likely to lead to closer, dynamic alignment between London and Brussels in the future, which is directly against his party leader’s stated policy of no dynamic alignment.”

Downing Street attempted to provide reassurance.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: “I don’t think people should be worried, I’m sure people will be able to provide gifts to their loved ones on Valentine’s Day in the way that we always see.”

Pressed if that extends to roses too, she said enigmatically: “I’m sure people will be receiving bouquets of flowers on Valentine’s Day this year.”

Rules are set to be updated further in the months to come.

By April 30, medium-risk animal products from the EU will undergo documentary, identity and physical checks.