In the lead-up to the EU–UK Summit on 19 May, and in light of recent signals from the UK indicating openness to an SPS agreement with the EU, EU-based representative organisations UNION FLEURS (International Flower Trade Association) and ENA (European Nurserystock Association) have underlined in a joint statement how strongly the EU ornamental horticulture sector (cut flowers, indoor and outdoor plants for ornamental purposes and for ecosystems services) supports all efforts towards securing such an agreement.
The ornamental sector (cut flowers, indoor and outdoor plants for ornamental purpose and for ecosystem services) is of substantial socio-economic importance to the EU, generating €20 billion in production value and supporting over 760.000 jobs across the EU. The UK is by far our largest export market for flowers and live plants, with trade volumes and value that exceed those with any other non-EU country (over €1.45 billion annually). The EU has a strong stake in reducing current trade frictions with the UK and restoring smoother market access for its growers and exporters of plants and flowers.
The EU ornamental horticulture sector is particularly invested in a constructive outcome for the EU-UK Summit on 19 May and believe it is in the EU’s strategic interest to seize this opportunity and secure progress towards a robust and ambitious EU-UK SPS Agreement that includes a dedicated Plant Health Agreement. UNION FLEURS and ENA are therefore calling on EU decisions-makers to do their utmost to reach a constructive outcome at this Summit.
Read the full statement here: ;
STATEMENT:
Securing frictionless trade whilst maintaining biosecurity standards: Why an EU-UK Plant Health Agreement is critical for the EU ornamental industry (May 2025)
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The signatories to the statement are:
Union Fleurs – International Flower Trade Association is the umbrella organisation for national associations and companies active in the floricultural trade. The general mission of Union Fleurs is to represent, promote and defend the interests of traders and wholesalers in cut flowers, cut foliage and potted plants. Union Fleurs was founded in 1959 in Brussels and has nowadays members in 20 countries. Within its membership, Union Fleurs gathers over 3.000 companies, of which more than 1,500 floricultural traders and wholesalers in the EU (Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium). Members account for more than 80% of the total value of the worldwide trade of cut flowers and pot plants.
Contact: Ms. Sylvie Mamias, Secretary General – Email: secgen@unionfleurs.org – Website: www.unionfleurs.org EU Transparency Register N° 14864192565-82
ENA – European Nurserystock Association represents nursery stock growers’ organisations all over Europe. The nurseries, where live plants are propagated, grown and traded, are members of regional or national nursery organisations that are members of the ENA. Sixteen EU countries currently constitute the membership of ENA: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
Contact: Mr. Josep M. Pagès, Secretary General – Email: ena@enaplants.eu – Website: www.enaplants.eu EU Transparency Register N° 248993414712-40
