One Brexit, two systems: Trading in uncertain times for Plant Protection Products

The end of the Brexit Transition Period is in sight, yet many questions remain unanswered and a no-deal scenario is back on the table. Whatever the outcome of the future relationship negotiations, there are complexities and changes ahead for the Plant Protection Products (PPP) sector. Amidst the uncertainty, indications of future regulatory processes are starting to come to light. This paper addresses specific concerns of PPP manufacturers as they get ready for the new Great Britain Regime and the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Shedding light on key concerns of PPP manufacturers as the Brexit Transition Period nears closure

For the UK’s Plant Protection Products industry, the end of the Transition Period marks the next step into a new chapter where evaluation of active substances and products will be handled nationally. However, there is no guarantee that the switch from the EU regime will be seamless. In fact, as the end of the year approaches there is still a high level of ambiguity over key matters.

Earlier this year, TSG co-hosted a webinar with the UK government’s Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) looking at the impact of Brexit on the UK’s PPP regime. More recently, we ran a session on the same topic at Chemical Industry Regulations Digital Week. Questions posed by delegates at these online events indicate that the PPP industry is beset with uncertainty. Yet clearly business must continue. It’s no good simply waiting until 1 January 2021 to ‘see what happens’. The situation will continue to evolve beyond this date.

Most of the immediate concerns voiced by industry players relate to four key areas:

• Product mutual recognition to/from UK
• Active substance evaluation
• Product reauthorisation
• Maximum Residue Levels and technical equivalence

In this paper, we explore some of the key issues at stake. We can’t take the uncertainty away, but we outline TSG’s perspective on how things stand at present. Our aim is to help you make more informed decisions about the best way forward, depending on your individual circumstances.