Four Nations in a Fortnight and One Shared Goal: Championing Environmental Horticulture
25 November 2025
Over the past two weeks, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Policy and Public Affairs team has engaged with policymakers across the devolved nations, all with one common aim - the growth of Environmental Horticulture throughout the UK.
The HTA represents the entire sector, with more than 1,400 UK member businesses, including growers, retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, designers, and landscapers. Meanwhile, the Environmental Horticulture industry as a whole delivers £38 billion to the UK economy and supports the employment of 722,000 people.
The HTA’s Policy and Public Affairs team work hard to actively advocate the industry’s contributions to the economy, environment, health and wellbeing, and to campaign with Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), Members of the Senedd (MSs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament in Westminster.
In Scotland
This month, the team visited the Scottish Parliament to launch the HTA’s new Scottish Environmental Horticulture Manifesto and to take part in a discussion about the sector's opportunities and challenges.
During a session at Holyrood's Gardening and Horticulture Cross-Party Group, Rural Affairs Minister Jim Fairlie MSP, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Rachael Hamilton MSP and representatives from businesses and charities across the sector discussed the potential for a £5.1 billion boost to Scotland’s economy by 2030, with the proper support for the horticulture industry.
Rural Affairs Minister Jim Fairlie MSP, said:
“The horticultural sector is an important contributor to our economy, brings immense enjoyment to so many, and I am grateful to the Horticultural Trades Association for inviting me to discuss their proposals. I welcome their regular engagement with the Scottish Government, which has highlighted opportunities for us to work with the sector towards shared goals across a wide range of policy areas.”
The Environmental Horticulture sector in Scotland already supports nearly 60,000 jobs and contributes £2.6 billion to Scotland’s GDP. For more information about ‘The Scottish Environmental Horticulture Manifesto: Priorities for a future Scottish Government from the HTA’, visit: hta.org.uk/scotland.
In Wales
The HTA represents more than 80 member businesses across Wales and last year produced a manifesto for the nation: ‘Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy. A vision for Wales’, which includes aims and outcomes for developing green economic growth, supporting local businesses, increasing Welsh horticultural production and protecting biosecurity.
As part of the HTA's advocacy and campaigning across all four nations, the Policy and Public Affairs team regularly attends Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) meetings to ensure that members' challenges relating to borders and trade remain a priority. Last week, the DAG meeting was hosted at the Synned in Cardiff.
Discussions covered a range of issues from the EU confirming its mandate to negotiate an SPS trade agreement with the UK, to youth mobility. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, and Mark Drakeford were amongst those calling for a stronger and closer partnership with the EU.
For more details about the Welsh ‘Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy: A vision for Wales, visit: hta.org.uk/policy/wales.
In Northern Ireland
With a growing number of member businesses in Northern Ireland, the HTA recently visited members and policymakers in the region.
There was a productive meeting with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), during which the team discussed the EU-UK reset, the operation of the Windsor Framework, the Northern Ireland Plant Health Label Scheme (NIPHL), plant health risks, and forestry and green spaces.
With more than 22,000 people employed in the Horticultural industry in Northern Ireland, the team also met with the NI Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), where some of the top topics included the cost of business, trade, skills, education and future careers in horticulture.
Samantha Smith, Public Affairs Manager at the HTA, said:
“We are delighted to be working closely with policymakers in Northern Ireland to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing Environmental Horticulture businesses in the area. Trade with GB and the cost of business remain our top priorities. The HTA will continue to work with members and policymakers to secure the best possible SPS trade agreement for plants and easements to border barriers as quickly as possible.”
In England
The HTA’s engagement across the four nations finished with a well-attended Plants in Parliament event last week. More than 100 MPs, Peers and their teams from across the political spectrum came together to hear how the UK’s Environmental Horticulture sector can grow by 45% to reach £51.2 billion by 2030 with the right government support, reinforcing the environmental horticultural industry’s role as a key driver of productivity, sustainability and wellbeing.
The HTA has been working closely with Treasury ministers in recent months to raise awareness of how rising costs, labour shortages, and policy uncertainty are impacting horticultural businesses. The association has called on the Government to pause proposed changes to Business and Agricultural Property Relief, allowing for full consultation and impact assessment; a point which has been echoed by many MPs, peers, and the EFRA Select Committee.
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, said:
“Environmental Horticulture isn’t just about gardens and green spaces, it’s about jobs, skills and solutions. If the Government truly wants to deliver green growth, this is the moment to prove it.”