In This Issue
Apta acquired by AMES
GCA Christmas competition winners announced
Primeur’s ECO Garden display stands set to revitalise sales of garden borders and stepping stones in 2020
The stock market is the “natural place” for Dobbies and it will look to float
Dobbies announce 12% sales growth to February 2019
‘A strong and vibrant ornamental horticulture sector’
New Strikes Garden Centre, Stokesley Opens
RHS Garden Wisley bucks the trend against High Street sales
Customers voting for Christmas at garden centres
Christmas success for Brimsmore...even with no glitter
Administrators sell off National Polytunnels business assets
Wish you were here! SOLEX winner enjoys prize in Barbados
Hillier announces environmental audit to cut carbon footprint
Brother and sister give up day jobs to run Kent centre
Vitax grows charity's funds by over £11,000
New book offers tips on reducing plastic in the garden
Wyevale Nurseries expands sales support team
Whartons invests in marketing with new management position
Inaugural Elm Stand Planted at the National Memorial Arboretum as Hillier Trees ‘Re-elms the British Countryside’
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Westland Group Announces Key Appointments to Leadership Teams
At 76, is this Santa's most senior Elf?
‘A strong and vibrant ornamental horticulture sector’ the HTA’s general election 2019 manifesto
Christmas on a new high
Environmentalist to speak at 2020 GCA conference
Keenies are still gardening
GCA conference attendees to hear from Eden Project co-founder
Lights at number one again
NGGV helps boost sales in National Tree Week
Pre-Christmas plant boost
Houseplant and pet categories perform well in October, according to HTA Market Update
The best of last week's
Christmas trees are slimming down
Horticultural ‘Oscars’ highlight gardening as force for good
Sustainability brings opportunity for garden industry
David Austin Roses launches sustainable packaging for bare root planting
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Drinks suppliers flock to show their wares at Casual Dining
Yorkshire chef launches first cookery book with a demo at Bradford garden centre
Situations Vacant
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‘A strong and vibrant ornamental horticulture sector’
HTA’s general election 2019 manifesto

Ahead of the 12 December general election, the HTA has set out a manifesto outlining the key policy themes and ‘asks’ that are fundamental to developing a strong and vibrant horticulture sector.

 

This includes maintaining access to seasonal labour in a post-Brexit world. The UK ornamental horticulture industry is reliant on seasonal and full-time experienced workers from overseas. This needs better recognition within a future immigration system to ensure the sector can continue to develop and thrive. The HTA is calling for Ornamental Horticulture to be included in a Seasonal Workers scheme. The salary threshold for full time experienced workers needs to be lowered in any points-based system to better recognise the market rates in ornamental horticulture. With the recent sector skills survey showing horticulture facing on-going labour shortages, this threatens an overall industry that is contributing over £24bn GDP to the UK economy.

 

Tree planting is one of the quickest and easiest ways to deliver carbon reduction. The UK tree growing industry is well-placed and stands ready to meet policy ambitions. However, for this to happen there needs to be a strong degree of certainty created by Government, public and private bodies to provide fully funded plans. This includes proper financial support for capital expenditure and policies to alleviate the current shortage of labour. Nurseries require this to commit to the significant upscaling and investment in production infrastructure that will needed to meet the demand.

 

James Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) said: “In this general election campaign we are calling on all political parties to foster supportive and innovative economic programmes to boost our dynamic sector’s full potential. We want to see sustainability and climate change given the high priority it deserves. The garden industry is uniquely placed to support wider national health and well-being benefits of gardening and help create a Greener Britain. Not to forget, with 25m gardeners in the UK - making it arguably the country’s biggest hobby - it is a group of voters that political parties would be foolish to ignore.”

 

He adds, “In the manifesto, we set out three key policy themes that matter most to our members’ and the changes that will make the most positive difference to the UK. We are committed to working in a collaborative, cooperative and coordinated approach with a future Government on developing these policy proposals.”

The HTA’s three key policy themes and specific ‘asks’ of Government are:

 

A competitive, productive and growing economy that benefits everyone.

  • Employer taxes and wage floor increases should reflect market conditions
  • Backing a flexible marketplace
  • Horticulture should be better recognised and supported by the Government as an engine of economic growth

 

Making the best of a post-Brexit world.

  • Championing free and frictionless trade
  • Horticulture needs must be included in immigration policy
  • Plant health and biosecurity needs to remain a high priority

 

Creating a greener Britain.

  • Climate change and carbon reduction matters
  • Back tree planting, but the detail is crucial
  • A mix of woodland and urban tree planting is needed
  • Plant pots should be included in a consistent local authority recycling system
  • Work with industry on peat reduction

 

The full manifesto can be viewed on the HTA website

https://hta.org.uk/news/htas-general-election-2019-manifesto.html

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