The Horticultural Trades Association hosted its first Scottish regional event of the year at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, followed by a reception at Holyrood.

HTA members gathered for a behind-the-scenes tour of the site, an introduction to the Royal Botanic Garden team, and an update on the HTA’s policy work in Scotland. Following the regional event, the HTA hosted the Cross-Party Group (CPG) for Gardening and Horticulture for their Annual General Meeting at Holyrood, with MSPs and the HTA in attendance.

The evening reception was hosted by Christine Grahame MSP, with a speech from Professor Sir John Curtice, who advocated for the use of gardening and horticulture as a policy solution for the Scottish government, especially for an ageing population, to enable them to live better and not just longer.  The HTA’s Chairman, James Barnes and Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity of Scotland, also spoke at the reception.

Christine Grahame, MSP said: “I am delighted to sponsor this event in the Parliament to raise awareness of the importance of the horticultural trades and their contribution to the economy. I’m also passionate about promoting the great health benefits and enjoyment horticulture offers to millions of Scots. If anyone was in any doubt before, the Covid pandemic certainly demonstrated the importance of having access to good quality green spaces and, better still, for those of us lucky enough to have a garden, our wellbeing, and the horticultural trades are key to enabling that.”

Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister of Agriculture and Connectivity of Scotland, said: “I was pleased to attend the HTA parliamentary reception and speak about my engagements with the horticulture sector over the last several months, which the HTA helpfully arranged. Environmental horticulture is a diverse sector and I have developed a real sense of the sector’s important contribution to the environment, the economy and the Scottish population’s wellbeing.  I very much welcome HTA’s ongoing engagement with the Scottish Government, in identifying where the sector and Scottish Government can work together to achieve shared ambitions.”

James Barnes, Chairman of HTA, said: “We were delighted to have Christine Grahame MSP, Professor Sir John Curtice, and Minister Jim Fairlie speak at our Holyrood Reception. We have seen the horticulture industry in Scotland being recognised from our constructive engagement with the CPG - led by Rachael Hamilton MSP- which has been helpful in gaining a common understanding. Be it on the cost of running a business, encouraging the next generation of skilled workers, engaging those in education or finding floral-based health and wellbeing solutions, the HTA is committed to our work in Scotland.”

The HTA hosts a vast schedule of regional meetings throughout the year, details of which are updated regularly on the HTA website:https://hta.org.uk/regional-member-events