Plant movements and labour post EU exit focus of AHDB webinars

AHDB is hosting two special webinars to explore the impact of the EU Exit on the ornamentals sector.

Experts from across the industry will talk about different aspects of the UK’s agreement with the EU, focusing on two key areas for ornamentals growers – moving plants around Europe and sourcing seasonal labour.

The first webinar on 9 March will see AHDB’s Strategic Insight Manager Sarah Baker discussing what the new trade agreement means for businesses, while Defra’s Victoria Clarke and Jason Pollock  will explore importing and exporting plant material between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the EU.

They will be joined by Diane Collison of J.A. Collison & Sons, who will share her own experiences of importing bulbs and plant material since EU exit.

A week later, on 16 March, the second webinar will look at the challenge of sourcing and retaining seasonal labour. The NFU’s Ali Capper will highlight current ways of accessing seasonal labour needs and AHDB’s Head of Strategic Insight David Swales will examine what the new rules for overseas labour could mean for the industry. They will be joined by David Trehane from CropDesk, who will talk about how the latest technology is set to bring companies and the available workforce together directly.

Talking about their own approaches to sourcing and managing labour so far this year will be levy payers Francis Mizuro from Volmary Ltd and Mark Clark from Grampian Growers Ltd.

AHDB’s Knowledge Exchange Manager for ornamentals Wayne Brough said: “These focused webinars form part of AHDB’s wider offering to its levy payers in ensuring all growers and the wider industry are supported during the UK’s exit from the EU.

“As these new rules affecting the ornamental sector are both complex and incredibly important to growers, their voices and concerns will be central to these webinars – which are likely to be of interest to all horticulture growers.”

The two events are part of a wider package of EU-exit focused activity during March, kicking off with a podcast exploring the practical realities of trade friction, live on 3 March. This is followed by another webinar on 8 March, which brings together a panel of experts from across the food and drink industry to discuss the short-term challenges and long-term opportunities brought about by EU exit.

To sign up for the webinars, visit ahdb.org.uk/events.