The UK and EU’s draft deal on food and plant products could allow suppliers in Northern Ireland to import products “without all the red tape”.
If passed, the deal could benefit exporters based in Great Britain as it would reduce the extra costs and paperwork they face when selling goods to EU states and Northern Ireland.
It should also remove many of the post-Brexit goods checks between GB and Northern Ireland.
Robin Mercer, who runs the Hillmount chain of garden centre stores in counties Antrim and Down, said: “Honestly, all gardeners and plant suppliers are going to be so happy that, if we can get rid of all this red tape, it will be amazing.
“We can go back to the old days where you can bring in roses, you can bring in shrubs, you can bring in your sweet potatoes, without all the red tape and bring in the varieties you want.”
Andrew Lynas, managing director of Lynas Foodservice, welcomed the draft agreement, describing it as a “big step forward” for Northern Ireland food businesses.
“It should mean shorter lead times for us. It should mean that lots of GB suppliers who weren’t an option start to become an option again.”
However, he told Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme that more needed to be done to address customs issues, adding: “It is good news, but there is more still to come.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
