NFU visit Butters to discuss Brexit

NFU Deputy President, Minette Batters, visited the Spalding area this week (Tuesday 11 April) to learn more about the flower industry and listen to members’ concerns over Brexit.

Ms Batters said: “UK cut flower production is worth around £80m, with the cut flower and indoor plant market worth an estimated £2.2 billion at retail level.

“It is estimated that almost 40% of England’s cut flowers are grown in Lincolnshire. This industry employs many thousands of workers, picking and packing home-grown flowers and producing retail-ready products from imported flowers. Uncertainty about the future for all sectors of farming and horticulture is keenly felt by the businesses I visited today, which employ mainly non-UK born labour. The NFU will do everything it can to ensure government works to ensure a continued supply of flexible and skilled workers post Brexit.”

Danny O’Shea, county adviser for Holland (Lincs) and horticulture lead for in the East Midlands, added: “It was great to see Minette in South Lincolnshire today, we definitely learnt a lot about the flower industry and heard loud and clear the concerns of our members on the ground over the potential implications of the UK’s exit from Europe.

"We will continue to ensure that these concerns are raised at a national level and do everything we can to ensure this vital sector thrives in a post Brexit landscape.”