In This Issue
Manufacturers unite to champion the future of professional growing media in the UK
Christmas hope for Dobbies staff in “to be closed” centres
Choice Marketing’s 22nd Conference and Trade Show breaks records
Christmas Greatness – the 2024 search begins
Putting the heart into The Big Cheese
Staverton Nursery opens new restaurant and food hall
WHM Pet Group - Marriages - hosts spectacular 200 year heritage celebration
Fordingbridge delivers stunning new entrance for Groves Nurseries
Two weeks until the 2024 GIMA Awards – event sold out!
New Plant Barn opens at Northants shopping village
Old Railway Line Garden Centre unveils heart-warming Christmas Charity Book
Catering and non-garden sales help garden centres hold steady in wet September
UK companies look forward to IPM in Essen
Westland, RocketGro, LeisureGrow, Corby + Fellas, Woodmansterne and Allensmore are winners at Choice Marketing Conference 2024
Bradford garden centre group reaches final in three categories of regional business award
New Sanctuary Garden at Thrive London for people living with Dementia
Inaugural winners of RHS Britain in Bloom crowned overall champions 60 years later
Spring Fair invites you to share your stories
Bring home the magic of Christmas with British Garden Centres’ festive themes
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
New Sinclair appointments strengthen sales team
Riva Home brings heritage style to gardens with Morris & Co
HTA welcomes new Plant Health Information Service
British Air-Pot containers chosen by US Clean Plant Center Northwest
GCA hosts free retail security webinar for members
RSPCA seeks nature nurturers to become Wildlife Friends volunteers
HTA and FPC issue joint asks for urgent government action on the border
The best of last week's
Martin Breddy set to retire from Squire's Garden Centres
Rare opportunity to buy successful plant nursery with guide price of £1.375m
Applications open for BBC Gardeners’ World Beautiful Borders 2025
New community garden supported by the Mayor of London opens in North Kensington
Charnley’s Home and Garden implements WinRetail system
No more wasps with the amazing Waspinator
Glee: 50 years of influence, read GTN's Glee Review Issue on-line here
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HTA and FPC issue joint asks for urgent government action on the border

The Horticultural Trades Association and the Fresh Produce Consortium have issued a joint letter to the government, calling for urgent action following a roundtable meeting on plants, cut flowers, and border-related issues.

 

In the letter, the HTA and FPC emphasise the vital role of horticulture and fresh produce, contributing significantly to the UK economy, food security, and environmental sustainability. The joint letter highlights substantial obstacles to the trade of both edibles, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and non-edible plants, including cut flowers, planting materials, finished plants, trees, shrubs, bulbs, and seeds. Issues such as rising logistics costs, damaged goods, delays, increased waste, and complex paperwork severely impact sector growth and investment in the future. 

 

As a result, the UK's business reputation is being tarnished, business relationships are under strain, and there is reduced confidence in border processes. These challenges threaten the country’s food security, hinder progress towards achieving the UK’s environmental goals, and directly impact the choices available to consumers. 

 

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at HTA, commented: “We are asking policymakers to urgently work with the HTA and FPC, listen to our members, and take swift action to safeguard UK horticulture. Our sectors face growing pressures from rising costs, supply chain issues, and regulatory changes.

 

"While our sectors face different impacts, we share the same vision for frictionless border trade. There is an urgent need for oversight of all trade-related policies, whether trade with Northern Ireland, GB Plant Passport changes, or CITES regulations. If these aspects do not function cohesively, we face increased friction, costs, and damage to the UK's competitiveness, which ultimately restricts growth and impacts consumers directly. The HTA remains committed to collaborating with the government to address these challenges.” 

 

Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said: “The UK border strategy imposed by the previous Government is an overwhelming and ongoing failure without any immediate sign of improvement. We simply need an affordable and effective biosecure border which meets the needs of industry and consumers.  

 

“As a sector, we have been proactive for many years, investing in effective self-funded border solutions. However, a dynamic industry which is the bedrock of the nation’s food and wellbeing has been knowingly compromised by the previous government.  

 

“It’s now 6 months since the launch and nothing has changed. Our highly efficient industry solutions are being knowingly starved of “official inspection resources” therefore we are being forced to use Sevington a Government owned BCP which imposes mandatory unjustifiable costs on every consignment whether inspected or not. On reflection, no commercial operator would be allowed to adopt this approach, and if they did, it would probably be called out as a monopoly.

 

“Data suggests a commercially managed control point providing a vastly improved service is 90% cheaper than Sevington. Ultimately, industry and consumers are spending millions on avoidable costs imposed by our own government. Another new and hidden tax perhaps.   

 

“It’s essential the nearly new Government resolves this chaos soon. While it’s a crisis not of their making, it’s their problem to solve, and it’s been 3 months. Industry can readily solve the problem if given the opportunity. Industry has proven solutions, but we need the Government to agree and implement rapidly.” 

 

On 20 September, the HTA requested a meeting with Defra to allow both HTA and FPC members to present their concerns and discuss solutions. The associations are urging the government to prioritise this meeting to ensure the voices of the industry are heard. 

 

The HTA and FPC remain steadfast in advocating for a thriving horticulture and fresh produce sector. The joint letter encapsulates the concerns of businesses across the supply chain, all of whom rely on clear, supportive policies to continue providing quality products to consumers while also safeguarding jobs and the environment. 

 

HTA members can read the full letter here.

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