The Animal and Plant Health Agency has given notice that it intends to raise fees to inspect plants coming into the UK by an average of 11%.
The new fees came into effect today, October 1.
Fees for cuttings went up from £139.84 to £173.91 (an increase of £34.07), while fees for other plants intended for planting rise from £152.41 to £182.38 (an increase of £29.97).
The increase, says APHA, is due to ‘a greater increase of plant checks that were needed last year’. The agency said prices will now remain frozen until April 2021.
The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association said it will write a letter of complaint to DEFRA about the decision.
It said: “Despite numerous complaints to DEFRA’s charging team about this, the team has yet again failed to listen to our advice to delay the introduction of the new charging regime to allow businesses to adjust their costings.”
