The Horticultural Trades Association has joined Defra Minister Stephen Morgan MP, Defra Director General Emma Bourne OBE and UK agri-food business leaders on a trade mission to Paris, marking the first time UK environmental horticulture has been represented on a visit of this kind.

Including environmental horticulture is a significant step toward securing recognition for the sector and its potential to grow UK exports. The HTA used the opportunity to set out members’ priorities for a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, key easements to support sector competitiveness and the action needed to help horticultural businesses compete in international markets.

The programme included a roundtable with ministers, senior officials and business leaders, followed by a reception celebrating the UK agri-food sector at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Paris.

Jennifer Pheasey, HTA Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “It was a privilege to represent UK environmental horticulture on a trade mission of this kind for the first time. We welcome Minister Stephen Morgan’s invitation to champion HTA members and echo our call for plants to be alongside the government’s mission for growth in our food sector. Much of the discussion focused on the imminent UK-EU Leaders’ Summit, and it was an opportunity to clearly set out HTA members' needs: swift delivery of a deal, an end to unnecessary border chaos, and support for easements and the transition to new arrangements.

“UK horticulture has a vital role to play in delivering the gardens, green spaces and green infrastructure we need to build more resilient nations. Global demand for our plants, trees, breeding expertise, and green services is strong, but businesses need the right conditions to compete and reach international markets.

“Since Brexit, UK exports of certain plants and trees to the EU have fallen by nearly half and reversing that decline must be a priority. We need prompt delivery of an SPS agreement that reduces unnecessary border friction and costs while addressing horticulture’s specific needs, including plant protection products and plant variety rights.

“An agreement is only part of the picture. The government must work with us to rebuild supply chains, restore lost export opportunities and support businesses that have invested heavily in facilities and systems to meet changing plant health requirements.

“With UK and EU leaders due to meet in Brussels on 20 November, businesses need clarity and confidence about what the agreement will mean in practice. Our members must be involved throughout negotiations and implementation.

“Meanwhile, energy and employment costs, global uncertainty and climate impacts continue to put pressure on our sector. These challenges must be addressed if we are to improve competitiveness, support growth in every UK postcode and realise the potential of UK horticultural exports.

“We welcome this invitation as recognition of environmental horticulture’s importance. The opportunity now is to turn that recognition into action and ensure our sector has a stronger voice in shaping the UK’s trading future.”