Carrier trims network as flower exports fall

FLOWER exports from Guernsey are down again. It is estimated that 350,000 boxes will be sent this year, compared with 390,000 last year. When Guernsey's growing industry was booming, more than 1m. boxes would be despatched in a year.

To contend with the greatly-reduced figure Channel Express Ltd has had to reassess its programme of deliveries, expanding its subcontracting business.

Channel Express general manager Martyn Langlois explained the situation to flower growers at a recent special meeting called by the Guernsey Growers' Association.

'The changes will not affect deliveries of inward or general freight, or the export of flowers,' he assured growers.

Most of the subcontracting will occur during slack parts of the season when exports are very light.

The decline in Guernsey's cut flower industry has meant that Channel Express vehicles have had to travel across the UK with low-volume loads to specific markets.

Alternatives to such wasteful transport movements have been studied and the option chosen is for other contractors to move small amounts of flowers.

Guernsey flower consignments could travel with produce from other areas - a commercially-satisfactory operation.

The wide spread of flower markets in the UK has always created problems, but never as much as now when a consignment to a specific district might consist of a handful of boxes.

Channel Express vehicles will still serve markets from which large orders are received.

'In recent weeks, deliveries of cut flowers from Guernsey have totalled only 2,000 boxes per seven days,' said Mr Langlois.

Dr Terry Brokenshire, head of plant-protection services at the States Committee for Horticulture, warned growers that more pesticides would be lost to the growing industry in July and that methyl bromide would be banned after 2005.

There are various reasons for the withdrawal of control chemicals, including an EU review of active ingredients.

'There are pressures to establish maximum residue levels - a lot of pesticides have gone this way and a lot of withdrawals will affect Guernsey horticulture this year,' said Dr Brokenshire.

He added that in the long term matters would improve, with a better range of chemicals in five or 10 years' time.

Dr Brokenshire urged growers to inform him if they heard of a chemical that would suit their particular need.

'If it is safe to use, we will go for it,' he said.

Growers were reminded that licences issued were now operative for only 14 days and that the Water Board had to be informed 24 hours before spraying.

An arrangement should be made with the board to have plumbing units inspected every six months, which would result in a quicker all-clear to start spraying.

Growers were shown how to cope with pests and diseases, including biocontrol, traps, environmental control, hygiene and the avoidance of unwanted plant varieties.