A LONG-STANDING Kelvedon business has been visited by an MP to discuss its issues over trying to sell products to customers in Ireland.
Witham MP Dame Priti Patel visited Kings Seeds, in Coggeshall Road, to discuss the business’s concerns over selling seeds directly to consumers in Northern Ireland.
The firm which is based at Monk’s Farm, has been unable to sell its products to home gardeners in Northern Ireland due to a policy implementation issue within the UK’s 'Windsor Framework'.
The framework is a post-Brexit agreement between the UK and European Union, where a set of arrangements have been put into place to restore a smooth flow of trade within the UK internal market.
The Windsor Framework affects how goods are transported from the UK to Northern Ireland and because of the issues Kings Seeds has been encountering, Northern Ireland customers have not been able to purchase its products.
MP dame Priti Patel said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Kings Seeds which is fantastic local employer which puts its local roots at the heart of their ethos as a company.
“I was pleased to tour the site in Kelvedon to meet with their employees, who mostly live in the local area.
“However, I am concerned that the Windsor Framework is stifling business within the UK market in this sector.
“I am in discussion with Ministers and urging them address this significant barrier to trade within the UK internal market.”
The seller of an assortment of seeds, ranging from vegetable seeds, flower, seeds, herb seeds, organic seeds, and gardening sundries, was first established in 1888.
Director Andrew Tokely said: “The Directors of Kings Seeds were pleased to have the opportunity to spend time with MP Priti Patel discussing the problems they face with getting seed into the UK.
"More importantly, the challenges that Kings Seeds still face in sending mail order hobby seed packets into Northern Ireland.
“Despite the Windsor Framework, Kings Seeds is still unable to supply the many home gardeners of Northern Ireland."
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