Red palm weevil brings ban on imports into the UK
In the last 10 years, hardy palms have become common plants in our gardens but a threat in mainland Europe has prompted the government to take drastic action. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has banned nearly all imports into the UK from January 1, thanks to the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), which is causing havoc on the continent.
A weevil was discovered on an imported plant in Essex in spring 2016, so Defra’s decision is trying to protect our existing stocks.
Exporters from across the continent now have to grow plants in a protected area (such as an enclosed greenhouse) or palms have to be quarantined for a minimum of two years in a protected area.
Most exporters grow their palms outside in warmer areas of Europe and say it isn’t cost effective to quarantine areas for export to the UK, as the market is so small.
If you’re after a large palm this year, stocks already in the UK are going to diminish quickly – and prices are likely to rocket, not helped by the weak pound.
Virtually the only palms being imported after January 1 will be the small ones grown in Dutch greenhouses.
Obviously, this is going to hit our small specialist tropical nurseries hard and gardeners need to support them through the next two years.
If palms aren’t available, buy other plants from them – keep them in business.
If you don’t use them, we’ll lose them.
This is a complex issue, so for more information, visit my in-depth analysis page at www. mandycanudigit.com/2017/12/28/ palm-import-ban-how-will-it-affectgardeners/