Critical sector issues raised at HTA ‘Plants in Parliament’ event
6 November 2024
Following the success of last year’s Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) drop-in showcase in Parliament, the HTA has once again presented ‘Plants in Parliament’. Around 60 MPs, Peers, and staff had the chance to engage with the HTA and industry representatives and hear directly about the impact of key policies, from border operations to tax changes, and how these are hitting hard-working, hard-pressed horticultural businesses, in a challenging year. The timing was particularly pertinent just a few days following the Budget and a day ahead of further Parliamentary debates on peat-free horticulture.
The event saw an array of UK-grown plants taken into Parliament, with much focus on how we can unlock growth in horticulture and the extensive benefits of the industry across multiple policy areas, such as the economy, trade, environment, health, and wellbeing. Parliamentarians across the UK had the chance to engage directly with the HTA, whose members across horticultural or landscaping businesses have a presence in 567 UK constituencies. HTA members Jonathan Whittemore of Johnsons Nurseries and Peter McDermott and Henry Willams of You Garden Limited, the providers of the showcased plants, joined the HTA team in representing the sector and shared valuable insights on how policymakers can best support the industry.
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, commented:
"Environmental horticulture is a vital sector for the UK – delivering for environmental ambitions, health and wellbeing and critically to the economy - with the potential to deliver over £40bn to the UK by 2030. The HTA’s Plants in Parliament event gave parliamentarians from across the political divide a chance to hear first-hand some of the challenges and opportunities facing UK horticulture and see the fantastic products our members are delivering. Last week’s budget will have a huge impact on all our members, growers, retailers, landscapers and manufacturers who are already dealing with tight margins, an increase in the cost of doing business, regulatory changes and increases in wages. With this coming on top of an already challenging year, difficult weather, chaos at our borders, and the need to invest in a peat-free future, it is critical that policymakers and politicians see and hear about these issues from HTA and its members. We are a sector that mostly consists of SMEs and many family-owned businesses. By taking both plants and some of the people behind them into Parliament, we were able to speak directly about the impact of key policies on the sector’s ability to deliver for UK green spaces, jobs and investment. The HTA’s members are spread across the four corners of the UK and almost every UK parliamentary constituency and can drive economic and environmental delivery across the UK with the right support for environmental horticulture.
Ben Goldsborough, MP, commented:
"Horticulture is an important part of South Norfolk - from grower businesses to gardens. It was a privilege to support the environmental horticulture industry drop-in event in Parliament this year. The commitment and expertise of our growers and horticultural businesses continue to enhance not only our landscapes but our economy and wellbeing. The Horticultural Trades Association has been instrumental in bringing to light both the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. It's essential now that we explore ways for government to support and sustain this vital industry for the benefit of our communities and future generations."