FPC KEEPS UP PRESSURE ON GOVERNMENT OVER BORDER CHAOS AS JENNEY WARNS OF CONSUMER FALLOUT

The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) is doubling down on its campaign for urgent government action over post-Brexit border chaos, as Chief Executive Nigel Jenney took to national radio this week to warn that the consequences of inaction will hit British consumers the hardest.

Speaking on The James O’Brien Show on LBC this Monday, Jenney criticised the government’s continued lack of clarity and direction, describing the current system as “chaotic and incoherent”. He made clear that the financial burden of poorly implemented border policies will not stay within the supply chain.

“The costs imposed on our industry don’t just vanish,” he told listeners. “They will ultimately be passed onto hard-pressed British consumers. That’s the brutal reality.”

Jenney’s media appearance follows mounting concern across the industry over the government’s implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). As reported in Freshtalk Daily last month ( (https://www.fpcfreshtalkdaily....) read here (https://www.fpcfreshtalkdaily....) ) (https://www.fpcfreshtalkdaily....) , FPC and other leading voices have criticised the current regime for creating confusion, inconsistency and escalating costs.

In a decisive move to seek reform, FPC and the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have jointly written to Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, urging the government to explore a more dynamic partnership model.

Their letter outlines a strategic vision for collaboration that delivers “exceptional value for the British public” by:

* Promoting sustainable trade for both imports and exports

* Identifying and acting on policy and regulatory barriers to build long-term resilience in the UK’s food, flower and plant supply chains

* Re-establishing the recognition, value and position of these industries in government policymaking

The joint letter underlines both organisations' commitment to immediate and collaborative engagement with the government, and to securing the long-term success of the UK’s essential horticulture and fresh produce sectors.

Meanwhile, FPC and HTA have also written to The Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DEFRA, to voice their shared concerns over the lack of coherent strategy and consultation. The industry will be closely watching when she appears before the Animal and Plant Health – Oral Evidence Session in Parliament on 6 May at 2.30pm, where her response could prove pivotal.

Throughout this turbulent period, FPC has stood out as a relentless advocate for industry interests, offering practical, evidence-based solutions to government that would enhance food safety without crippling businesses.

“We have repeatedly laid practical answers at the government’s feet,” Jenney said. “What we need now is political will to act on them.”

“The announcement to continue the EU fruit and vegetable easement until 1 July 2025 was made last autumn. Since then, FPC has consistently requested detailed information. Yet, we have received no effective responses, and no direct communication or guidance has been offered by the UK Government to the trade,” Jenney stressed.

“The fruit and vegetable sector is highly perishable and remains the largest trading category with the EU. Over 65% of consignments involve groupage or direct deliveries from EU growers to UK retailer depots—totalling approximately 3.5 million tonnes annually.

“With no clear answers or certainty, the “go live” date of 1 July is fast approaching. The industry is in turmoil, with inadequate information and insufficient time to prepare.

"We ultimately feed the nation, yet the shockingly poor communication from government has left both the UK trade and EU officials unable to plan. Government departments have spent years developing this border strategy—yet now expect industry to absorb the operational burden with just a few weeks’ notice.

“Therefore, neither EU NPPOs nor UK industry can effectively prepare to manage a complex supply chain through major change at such short notice.

“On this basis, simply issuing headlines last year is wholly inadequate. Both industry and EU NPPOs historically invested considerable time and funding to prepare for earlier proposed deadlines—only for the UK to delay implementation.

"As a result, previous investments were wasted, and many teams were disbanded or made redundant. Understandably, there is now no confidence across the trade to invest significant resources again without clear, timely information and firm commitment.

“Moreover, EU trade is unique in that it includes around 1,000 SMEs, many of whom were not part of the non-EU go-live and therefore have little to no experience of what to expect from the upcoming changes. They are now being asked to adapt at speed, with no guidance and no support.

“Our flower and plant members have already endured a year of chaos, facing soaring operational costs through no fault of their own. The inherited border strategy simply isn’t working—not for traders, not for logistics providers, and not even for the Government itself.

“Empty promises of a future “EU reset” are not enough. Such a reset could take years to materialise. What’s needed now is decisive action,” urged Jenney.

Nigel Jenney and the FPC continue to lead from the front—demanding fairness, transparency and a smarter way forward. The message to government is clear: this industry will not be ignored.

FPC Media enquiries – nigel@freshproduce.org.uk