From keeping on top of ever-changing environmental legislation to learning how to cope without key products such as Ronstar granules, managing an integrated pest management (IPM) programme is a tricky juggling act for ornamental growers and agronomists. And so, with Brexit taking centre stage, I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering whether leaving the EU will make this difficult task any easier? Without controversial pieces of legislation such as regulation 1107/2009, could we see some handy products thrown into the ring?

The consensus amongst many industry experts appears to be that yes, our crop protection legislation could change – but any such change won’t happen instantly.

For instance, Jon Knight, AHDB’s head of crop health and protection, and Sarah Baker, AHDB’s senior analyst, predict in their recent Horizon market intelligence report entitled What will happen to Plant Health and Plant Protection regulations after Brexit? that the vast majority of plant protection product (PPP) regulations will initially be “lifted and shifted” as part of the Great Repeal Bill. However, following this – and in the medium term – change is possible. “The industry needs to think ahead regarding what it wants and needs to compete effectively in a changing global trading environment, as well as satisfying consumer preferences in a domestic market,” the pair advises.

John Adlam, managing director of horticultural consultancy Dove Associates, tells me that many ornamental growers see Brexit as an opportunity to allow our government to be able to wield its pragmatic control over product approval again.

He notes, for example, that biosecurity and “being able to defend our island against pests and diseases that are spreading on the European mainland is an area that Brexit has given us opportunity to take control over.” He reminds me, for instance, that we don’t have a pesticide approved in the UK that growers can use against Xylella.

However, John is cautious that we – the horticultural sector – must “look over our shoulder” and realise that export production is an important part of many nursery’s marketing. And so, conformity to EU requirements may well be required, particularly when it comes to its pesticide legislation.

John also warns that we could get ourselves into a situation whereby “home” products and “export” products may not have the same specifications. As this may be trickier than walking a tightrope blindfolded, some growers may just stick with EU legislation as “the norm.”

Whilst it doesn’t unveil any details, Defra’s current consultation (published at the end of

February [2018]) entitled Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit states that: “There will be strong regulations and programmes to control and manage animal and plant disease outbreaks to keep biosecurity in the UK high. Plant protection products are noted as important to maintain plant health and production and their use will continue to be strictly regulated.”

With this in mind, I think it’s fair to say that some change could be on the cards for our crop protection policies but, whilst the big cats in Brussels continue to thrash out the details of our post-Brexit future, growers will just have to keep on juggling those balls in the air.

Growers are invited to take part in Defra’s consultation. Responses should be received by May 8, 2018.