Looking after members interests.

[Ian Thwaites]

I have been concerned about all the border controls being introduced that will affect the hobby so I have been initiating a campaign to raise awareness. So far the issues have been raised in Garden News and today in the Sunday times. This is just to let you know that I am fighting hard to look after our members and the hobby. At the last BoT meeting it was agreed that I will write to the Government protesting that boarder controls have been introduced and trying to lobby for dispensation for hobbyists and small consignments for personal use. This also affects our members in Northern Ireland.

We are working very hard behind the scenes to support the members and to make this society prosper.

[iann]

Certainly an issue close to our hearts, if you see the length of the threads started about VAT and plant passports.

[Herts Mike]

Thanks Ian T. Your hard work is appreciated.

[Diane]

All power to your elbow, Ian, and many thanks for your tireless efforts.

[ralphrmartin]

Well done Ian. I wonder if a concerted effort by a bunch of societies, including the RHS, might carry more weight?

[Ian Thwaites]

Well done Ian. I wonder if a concerted effort by a bunch of societies, including the RHS, might carry more weight?

I have been talking to other societies but the view is that lots of separate letters may be better than one with lots of signatures. I am working with the other societies as well.

My intention is to send an open letter and also get it published in one of the good papers!

Doing nothing is not an option as far as I am concerned.

[MatDz]

Thanks Ian, much appreciated! It's a bit sad DEFRA in the first article cares only about businesses, but that's, well, life I guess.

[edds]

Well done Ian and thank you.

[el48tel]

Thanks Ian. Let's hope our protestations do not fall on deaf ears.

[Pattock]

In the online version of the Sunday Times article, the lady is holding a cactus in the other hand and the same Euphorbia as shown here. Nicely balanced. She could be the figurehead of the BCSS. Paywall, but one month free.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wilt ... -6zmpqw056

Well done, Ian.

My favourite weird seed company, Rareplants.eu/es/de has just stopped sending to the UK but still supplies Northern Ireland. Luckily, I got some seeds in January. rareplants.es/shop/default.asp?

If we start a petition on https://petition.parliament.uk/ and get more than 100,000 signatures, Parliament has to debate it. That would require a media campaign. Don't forget the BBC.