On Monday, 27 March 2023, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) hosted a town hall meeting with more than 100 sector professionals to discuss last week's decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) regarding the ban on peat.

The publication of Mission Zero, the independent review into net zero by Chris Skidmore MP, provides a roadmap for the UK to deliver on its net zero ambition. But is it a roadmap that policymakers and others will follow? PoliticsHome sat down with academics from UKCRIC to find out why they believe the recently published Review is an opportunity the nation cannot afford to miss.

James Barnes, Chairman, HTA commented:

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has written to the Prime Minister seeking clarification and development on key aspects of the Windsor Framework. HTA is encouraged by the starting point and tone of the Windsor Framework, but in order for its members to see trade return in full, the Association is calling for further developments.

The public is rightly furious at the state of our waters. Water companies have been dumping raw sewage into our rivers and seas using storm overflows.

Ensuring farmed animals experience minimal pain and suffering at the time of death is a key principle behind our laws and regulations on animal slaughter.

£2.7m funding success for offshore wind projects to drive forward maritime decarbonisation.

Creating a Minister for Nuclear is a welcome step from the Government. To make a real impact, Great British Nuclear must follow.

Bringing our supply chain closer to home can provide an economic and environmental boost for the UK.

A study of the impact of a changing climate on world civilisation from the beginning of recorded history to the present day, Peter Frankopan debunks many long-held assumptions

With 1.7 million off-grid homes in need of decarbonisation solutions, OFTEC sets out the main insights gathered from switching kerosene heated properties to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil.

We're one of Europe's largest wasters of food in Europe, with households throwing away 4.5m tonnes of edible food each year worth £3.5bn.

The University of Portsmouth has launched a new resource designed to help anyone interested in keeping up with the plastics treaty process.

A month after His Majesty the King visited Barcham Trees near Ely, Cambridgeshire, on 3 March, Barcham Trees welcomed the South Cambridgeshire MP, Lucy Frazer to the site.

Companies wanting to break into the offshore wind industry can apply to an award-winning technology acceleration programme based in the East of England for the first time.

On 27 February, Jennifer Pheasey, HTA’s Director of Public Affairs, joined parliamentarians and stakeholders as speaker at a dinner of the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT). The topic of the event was ‘Sustainable SMEs: Building a Better Future’ and was chaired by Selaine Saxby MP, with HTA and the Federation of Small Businesses as speakers.

EnBW and bp are joining forces with leading R&D experts at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to investigate the use of zero or low emission support vessels at offshore wind farms.

As policymakers face up to the twin challenges of net zero and energy security, the UK’s offshore wind sector is poised to step up and play an even bigger role in the energy transition. We spoke to a number of those leading the charge to discover why 2023 is set to be a year of innovation in the industry.

Responding to the Scottish Government’s launch of its consultation on ending the sale of peat in Scotland, Fran Barnes, CEO of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) commented:

Alban Hill Nurseries in Newport Pagnell hosted a visit by local Member of Parliament Ben Everitt on Friday 3rd February to showcase the business and raise issues impacting the horticulture industry, including the peat ban and the cost of doing business. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which organised the visit, was also in attendance.

A new House of Lords Select Committee has been established to launch an inquiry into the Horticultural Sector and will convene this week in a move welcomed by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).