HTA statement on appointment of Lord Benyon as Defra Minister

James Clark, HTA Director of Policy & Communications, said:

"We warmly welcome Richard (Lord) Benyon's return to Defra. We thank Lord Gardiner for his support of the HTA's 'plant healthy' scheme and the reopening of garden centres during the first covid lockdown.

Gardening and an interest in nature has never been more popular, but unlocking seasonal labour needs, a more pragmatic approach to import and export trade to seek the best of Brexit and changing outdated production site planning laws will help deliver a new 'green economy' of growing prosperity and environmental gains. We hope the new Minister takes this chance to back a winning British industry.”