Plant importers say border delays in Kent could drive up prices and stop deliveries from EU

Traders report long waits at Sevington inspection post and claim trees and shrubs are repeatedly being damaged

Importers of plants say long delays and damage to shipments at a Kent border control post risk driving up prices and could lead to transport companies stopping deliveries across the Channel.

Traders have reported long waits in recent weeks at the government's Sevington facility off the M20 near Ashford, which was built to check goods of plant and animal origin arriving from the EU. One importer said delays were adding 200 of costs to each load.