Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement of the Horticulture Resilience and Growth Offer, Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said:

“While the focus of the Prime Minister’s Summit is Farm to Fork and the indications for funding are that it is edibles focused, the government should not miss the opportunity to support the resilience and growth of environmental horticulture. The environmental, economic and social delivery of gardens and cultivated green spaces is important for our country.

“Put simply, net zero and environmental improvements cannot be met without our sector. The health and wellbeing benefits of green spaces is widely recognised. It has, therefore, been incredibly disappointing that, despite a House of Lords inquiry recommendation, the government has no strategy for environmental horticulture.

"Environmental horticulture also delivers for the economy, and our sector’s substantial contributions speak volumes, with £28 billion added to the British economy, supporting 674 thousand jobs and generating £6 billion in tax revenues. With the right support, our industry's GDP footprint could exceed £41 billion by 2030. There are very few – if any sectors – which can match the economic numbers with the environmental benefits and the social value of environmental horticulture.

“The government has an opportunity to create a long-term view to grow our environmental delivery, and we hope they seize it.”

The government press release can be read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-blueprint-to-boost-british-fruit-and-vegetable-sector-may-13-2024