First Plant & Flower Event held at EU Embassy
Following the suggestion by the Horticultural Trade Association and supported by Union Fleurs and it's members, the first ever ‘Plants and Flowers of Europe’ event was held at the European Union Delegation to the United Kingdom (EU Embassy) earlier this week.
Designed to showcase the financial and wellbeing importance of the sector and the need for easier cross border trading, the event attracted industry representatives from here and abroad. Unsurprisingly top of the Agenda was the ongoing discussion surrounding the new SPS agreement – a way to ease the particularly draconian import/export rules being applied to the flower and plant sectors following Brexit.
And whilst both the EU Ambassador to the UK - His Excellency Pedro Serrano – and Emma Bourne, DEFRA’s Director General for the EU Reset and Trade said some pragmatism would be required, it was clear that discussions are proving highly constructive as the need for strong partnerships become even more essential in the turbulent times the world is facing.
What was clear though was the impact the flowers at the event had. Indeed, the Ambassador opened his speech saying it was the most cheerful event because of them.
Created by Linda Cottee and her Cottee Flowers team based at New Covent Garden Market, a stunning pedestal – featuring lush blue hydrangeas and cascading cymbidium orchids as the Stars from the EU flag – graced the stage whilst two gigantic ‘flags’ representing the EU and UK were used as selfie points by virtually every delegate and featured heavily in the press coverage.
Using flowers generously sponsored by Van der Plas via their Covent Garden base Green and Bloom, the precision placement of the flowers was both admired and praised and with extra floral fabulousness provided by both the Dutch and Italian delegations, proved conclusively that flowers really do have an unbeatable power and magic.
A fascinating panel discussion preceded the networking element of the event and particular praise was given to both Jennifer Pheasey of the Horticultural Trade Association and Sylvie Mamias of Union Fleurs; two extraordinary women who have, often unseen and without fanfare, led and helped the discussions for months.
Fingers crossed the ongoing negations and an EU-UK leaders’ summit expected to be a key moment for the deal in July, a feasible deal is possible. Many in the multibillion plant and flower sector need it to happen as soon as possible for survival.
