The Government recognises the importance of imported plants to support domestic horticultural production; and continues to work with the sector through regular engagement with the Environmental Horticulture Group—a coalition of industry leaders from across the sector—to support the production of trees and plants grown in the UK.

In 2024 the UK imported approximately 120 million trees, shrubs and bushes, down from 216 million in 2020. However, during the same period the net mass rose from 43 tonnes to 119 tonnes, indicating an increase in larger plants. We operate a robust, risk-based import regime to manage biosecurity risks and meet World Trade Organisation obligations.

Defra and the Forestry Commission are delivering measures to strengthen domestic tree production, including capital grants, knowledge sharing and sector collaboration. In 2025, up to £7.5 million was awarded through the Tree Production Innovation Fund, Seed Sourcing Grant and Tree Production Capital Grant. These initiatives ensure a reliable supply of high-quality, biosecure trees to meet the UK’s planting ambitions.

The Forestry Commission also publishes the annual Tree Supply Report, which shows that in 2024 more than 161 million saplings were grown in British forest nurseries.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on 19 May, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area which will slash costs and remove red tape. Removing the need for Export Health Certification will save trading businesses up to £200 per consignment every time goods are sent, meaning a single lorry carrying a mixed load of animal products could see reduced costs by thousands of pounds.

We are expecting to start negotiations once the EU has confirmed their mandate.

In the meantime, plant health import requirements and the requirements for products of animal origin are kept under continuous review.

The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) introduced a new risk-based approach to border controls. Goods have been categorised into the risk groups ‘High, medium and low’ and controls have been appropriately weighted against the risk.

Certain EU medium-risk cut flowers have been subject to pre-notification since 1st January 2022. EU medium-risk cut flowers have required a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) since 31 January 2024, but there are now inspections for EU medium-risk goods at the border since 30 April 2024. EU plants for planting, including those used for ornamental purposes, are already classified as high-risk goods, and subject to a pre-notification, a PC and inspections at Border Control Post or Control Points.

In relation to risks from invasive non-native species (INNS) more generally, in Great Britain horizon scanning is carried out by UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology every 5 years using expert judgement to identify species likely to arrive, become established and have an impact in the near future.

To reduce and prevent the introduction and establishment of INNS we have prioritised horticulture as one of the top 5 pathways of introduction. We have developed a Horticulture Pathway Action Plan (PAP), available here: https://www.nonnativespecies.org/biosecurity/pathway-action-plans/horticulture-pap-for-great-britain/ which aims to address the most likely routes by which INNS can get into the country.

There are clearly continued issues with its execution in the field and the new Government will work with stakeholders and business to improve them.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has 162 plant health inspectors in post covering England and Wales.

This number includes all inspectors working at border control points (BCPs), inspection centres and control points. This number cannot be broken down to specify the number of inspectors specifically at BCPs because inspectors often cover multiple sites. The inspectors cover all work for the EU, and the rest of the world including work at ports and inland.

The number does not include new inspectors which APHA is currently onboarding or who are currently at the job offer stage of recruitment.

The Trade Specialised Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, set up under the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, provides a platform for information sharing and discussion on each of the Parties’ import and export requirements. It is using this mechanism that Defra could raise questions regarding the EU’s export regulations as they relate to plant health measures, if it were deemed necessary and appropriate to the circumstance.

Non-compliant consignments imported into Great Britain from any country, including EU Member States, are monitored daily. Defra works together with the country concerned to identify and resolve any recurring issues. Between 01 January 2023 and 31 August 2024, Defra has notified the EU of 3525 non-compliant consignments. More data on EU non compliances can be found on the UK Plant Health Portal.

Plant health import controls already include a ban on the highest risk trees (over 30 species are prohibited for import from outside Europe including many native species), and the phytosanitary certification of trees which are permitted for import.

In 2022 Defra concluded a consultation seeking views on additional biosecurity measures for high-risk trees. An analysis of responses indicates broad support from stakeholders for further action in this area.

We are currently exploring opportunities to strengthen controls through further prohibitions and enforced holding in isolation for prescribed periods of time post import, while continuing to take a risk-based approach. This work includes examining the effectiveness, practicality and operational costs to industry and government of a variety of measures, to identify those which provide suitable biosecurity benefits. More rigorous consultation with industry will be undertaken prior to the implementation of any measures.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.