The Horticultural Trades Association offers some tips and advice for parliamentarian garden hobbyists during recess.

Thirty tree and plant growers from across the UK came together at the Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) Nursery Network Peat-Free event this week to exchange views, experience and knowledge on growing peat-free. The event was hosted by Hillier Nurseries in Romsey near Southampton and included a tour of their mature tree and container crop production sites.

Last week, MPs raised their concerns in Parliament about the intended ban on the professional use of peat being brought forward by four years.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is showcasing the growth of a greener future at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Representing and supporting 1,400 UK garden businesses, including retailers, growers, manufacturers, and landscapers, the HTA will demonstrate its members’ contributions to the economy as well as the environment and wellbeing through its trade stand, member gardens, events, and communications.

MSPs joined experts, professionals, and academics from Scotland’s horticulture sector at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, 10 May at a reception to discuss the future of the industry in relation to the well-being economy, the environment, planning and health.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has set out a detailed response to the Scottish Government Consultation on Ending the Sale of Peat, representing the views from the breadth of its 1,400-strong membership – from growers to landscapers, retailers to manufacturers.

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.

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.

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.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has welcomed parts of the deal struck between the UK and EU regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol – stating that ‘real trade can resume again’ for HTA members in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

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.

The Horticultural Trades Association’s letter to the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Budget sets out clear asks for action on the cost of doing business, water resilience and trade, as businesses across UK horticulture continue to see soaring costs and face another challenging weather year.

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).

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) welcomes the Government launching its five-year GB Biosecurity Strategy. Significantly, the strategy proposes to increase the level of collaboration between Defra and industry in order to facilitate safe trade and reduce the risks posed by pests and diseases. Additionally, Defra outlines plans for a campaign aimed at the general public to increase awareness of the importance of plants, as well as improved plant health understanding at educational level. HTA is a signatory to the Plant Health Accord, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of plant health to the public.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) today announced a significant increase in the number of seasonal worker visas that will be available to the horticulture industry for 2023. This will rise to 45,000 from 30,000 this year (the new figure could rise by a further 10,000 if necessary next year) and includes an early allocation for Daffodil growers. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which has been campaigning for an increase in the available workforce to meet demand in the industry, approves of what it calls a ‘step-change’ decision in the Government’s policy.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), who represents members from across the entire horticultural sector supply chain in Scotland, has welcomed the publication of Scotland’s draft Biodiversity strategy and has pointed to the impact trees and plants will have in achieving targets.

For a sector that can make a real impact when it comes to net-zero, look no further than Environmental Horticulture.

Commenting on the appointment of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister (25/10) Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs said: