Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd

What are EAMUs?

Extensions of Authorisation for Minor Uses (EAMUs) give the UK horticulture industry access to fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, acaricides, plant growth regulators and seed treatments.

HCP will act on behalf of the industry to seek approvals for products that plant protection companies would not otherwise pursue, due to the cost and resources needed and the small market size of minor horticulture crops.

The authorisation process is costly and time-consuming, so it is difficult for individual growing businesses to do themselves.

How will we secure EAMUs for the horticulture industry?

We work with CRD (Chemicals Regulatory Directorate), plant protection manufacturers, growers and counterparts in the EU to identify products that we believe will be valuable for the industry and are likely to be authorised.  We will work with crop associations to make sure all sectors of horticulture can have access to new and existing EAMU’s

How will we fund EAMU’s for the horticulture industry?

BOA and HTA will organise the collection of subscription fees for ornamental growers on behalf of HCP. All the subscription fees are collected by BGA and held for distribution by the HCP Ornamental group committee. All the companies that pay a subscription, will have a say in future EAMU’s.

How HCP is funded

Funds are subscribed to HCP on a voluntary basis. The subscription system comprises two elements:

• A contribution to the running costs of the organisation
• The actual costs of making an application. Every EAMU and Emergency Authorisation has a specific cost, added to this is the cost of any residue or efficacy trials needed to support an application.

Subscriptions are voluntary and are collected from growers through the network of crop associations.

How to pay your subscription

If you grow ornamental plants you can pay through BOA or HTA website

What’s changing this year

1. Recognising contributing growers

We will be significantly increasing our recognition of contributing businesses. Their names will be featured prominently on the BOA & HTA website and in other communications. We will also work across the supply chain to ensure customers and partners understand the importance of the growers who are supporting this collective effort.

2. Fairer contribution structure

To ensure a more equitable funding model, contribution levels have been reviewed. The goal is simple: cover HCP’s operating costs while keeping costs as low as possible for individual growers. Every pound contributed goes directly to HCP. If more growers participate, contribution levels can come down over time.

3. New payment process

For the 2025–26 financial year (April 2025–March 2026), contributions will be paid directly to the British Growers Association, which provides HCP’s secretariat support.
From April 2026, we intend to offer a direct debit option to make payments easier and improve cash flow management.

Voluntary Contribution Levels for 2025–26 Ornamental production

We recognise that for some growers—for example, where most turnover is retail or factored sales—these bands may not accurately reflect the scale of plant production. If this applies to your business, but you still wish to support HCP, please contact us. A simple statement confirming the value of your plant sales, signed or endorsed by a chartered accountant, is all that is required.