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Policy News & Press Releases

09/05/24

Shropshire Independent Review into Labour Shortages (Seasonal Workers) – HTA statement

Skills and labour shortages are critical issues for UK environmental horticulture. The HTA has repeatedly sought for a longer-term basis for the Seasonal Worker Scheme. Confirmation of a five-year scheme, albeit with the details yet to be published, is welcome and helps give horticulture businesses who are facing multiple challenges, from weather impacts to new border changes, some much needed certainty and confidence.

Read the press release here
24/04/24

House of Lords debates Horticultural Sector Committee Report

On Friday, 19 April, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) was in the gallery of the chamber to witness the next step in the Parliamentary process for the House of Lords’ Horticultural Committee Inquiry. The debate and motion were the formal presentation of the report in Parliament and provided peers from all parties the chance to set out views on some of the key aspects covered by the wide-ranging review.

Read the press release here
03/04/24

Common User Charge announcement

Commenting on the Common User Charge announcement, James Barnes, HTA Chairman, said: “Whilst it is welcome that it has at last been published, the Common User Charge (CUC) announcement at the eleventh hour confirms our fears that in just one month, UK horticulture’s competitiveness will be again hit by a cost hike for no material gain. 90% of our growers import plants at some stage of the growing cycle. Nearly 100% are SMEs and, in theory, subject to 100% checks and charges. Today, they have near 0% access to the easements or alternatives to BCP usage.

Read the press release here
16/02/24

Two months to go and too many unknowns – HTA member welcomes local MP and Secretary of State to discuss critical April border changes

As part of its push to get clarity on the details of the April border changes, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has joined Plants Limited in welcoming the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP to their site in Surrey. As their constituency MP, Plants Limited contacted Mr Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with their concerns following HTA Member briefings.

Read the press release here
14/02/24

Cost of doing business in environmental horticulture – HTA urges action in Spring Statement

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has set our clear asks to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the Spring Statement 2024. The HTA represents approximately 1,400 businesses in the UK's environmental horticulture industry and calls for urgent action to ensure the sector's growth, which makes vital contributions to the economy and environment and delivers on net zero.

Read the press release here
06/12/23

The HTA welcomes the Scottish Government approach to critical horticulture issues

Following a recent series of engagements with the Scottish Government, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) welcomes the clear recognition of the sector’s value and importance in recent communications. Multiple meetings with Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon MSP and officials throughout the year have paved the way for collaborative efforts to address key concerns within the industry.

Read the news story here
29/11/23

Horticultural Trades Association advocates for UK Environmental Horticulture at ‘Plants in Parliament’ event

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) delivered a drop-in showcase in Parliament on Tuesday, 28 November. This ushered in the festive season and underscored the importance of UK environmental horticulture. Sponsored by Heather Wheeler MP, the event attracted over 50 MPs, Peers, and staff, with positive conversations about green spaces and the sector.

Read the press release here
22/11/23

Horticultural Trades Association reaction to Autumn Budget

Fran Barnes, Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Chief Executive, said: “Today’s Autumn Budget has acknowledged the need to support businesses to invest for the future. We welcome the response to our asks on Business Rates to ease the Spring cliff edge by extending small business and retail reliefs, full-expensing and measures to support the self-employed. However, we cannot ignore that businesses across the UK horticulture industry have been feeling the mounting pressures of inflation, energy costs, skills shortages, regulatory changes, climate change, and fluctuating consumer confidence over many months.

Read the press release here
06/11/23

HTA joins forces to call for Scottish rates freeze

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), jointly with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and other leading businesses and groups, have set out a united call for a freeze in business rates in Scotland. This clear ask is directed towards the Scottish Government's Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary ahead of the upcoming budget announcement on 19 December, which will set the business rate and associated reliefs for the 2024-25 financial year.

Read the press release here
06/11/23

Recognition for vital horticulture sector: House of Lords report highlights industry’s value

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has welcomed the publication of the report from the year-long House of Lords Horticulture Committee special inquiry for recognising the importance of UK horticulture as a key deliverer of environmental targets. At the forefront of the report’s recommendations is the HTA’s top ask for increased cross-departmental collaboration within the government to acknowledge the sector’s relevance across policy areas.

Read the press release here
12/09/23

Scottish Cabinet Minister Champions Horticulture Industry and Plants Tree at Local School to Promote Green Growth

Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, was given a closer look at the Environmental Horticulture sector on a visit to Ashbrook Nursery in Arbroath. This was part of the Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) outreach on its Scottish Growth Strategy, which was brought to Holyrood earlier this year so that industry and politicians could engage in improving the environment, economy and health through trees and plants.

Read the press release here
04/09/23

Politicians visit Aberdeen Garden Centre and Nursery to address horticultural industry challenges

Ben Reid Garden Centre and Nursery in Aberdeen had the privilege of hosting two distinguished political figures last week. On Thursday, 31 August, Stephen Flynn, Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South and Leader of the SNP in the House of Commons, visited the garden centre. His visit aimed to shed light on the pressing issues confronting the horticultural industry in Scotland.

Read the press release here
29/08/23

Positive first steps, but the HTA urges further progress on Border Trade Plans for horticulture

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has responded to the final publication of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), welcoming certain aspects of the model, such as commitments to digitise phytosanitary certificates and for the government to create a consultative business readiness group. However, it also expresses disappointment in other areas that could have critical implications for the horticultural sector and says that the BTOM is potentially a missed opportunity for UK horticulture.

Read the press release here
25/05/23

Cross-party support for horticulture at Chelsea briefing hosted by the Horticultural Trades Association

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has welcomed a cross-party group of parliamentarians to a breakfast briefing held this morning (Thursday, 25 May) at the renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Among the attendees were Shadow Business Minister Seema Malhotra MP and Heather Wheeler MP, highlighting the growing importance and recognition of the horticultural sector in Westminster.

Read the press release here
12/05/23

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.

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.

Read the press release here