Two Scottish Government Ministers joined representatives from across Scotland's environmental horticulture sector at a parliamentary reception hosted by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) at Holyrood on Tuesday evening, highlighting the sector's economic, environmental and social contribution and its potential for future growth.
Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Business and Fair Work, and Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, both addressed the reception, alongside Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, and event sponsor Rachael Hamilton MSP.
The reception gave parliamentarians an opportunity to meet HTA members and hear directly about the opportunities and challenges facing businesses across the sector. Sponsored by Rachael Hamilton MSP, it also provided an opportunity to discuss the HTA's call for a Scottish Horticultural Growth Strategy and its priorities ahead of the Scottish Budget on 3 December.
Together, environmental horticulture and landscaping contribute £2.6 billion to Scotland's GDP and support almost 60,000 jobs, with the potential to grow their contribution to £5.1 billion by 2030. The HTA is calling on the Scottish Government to build on the UK Government's work on the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan, with the ambition of developing a Scottish Horticultural Growth Strategy, supported by cross-government collaboration.
The reception included discussion of the HTA's priorities ahead of the Scottish Budget on 3 December, following the Association's recent Budget submission to the Scottish Government. The submission calls for action to improve the competitiveness of Scottish businesses, support investment in climate resilience alongside sustainable growing, and unlock the sector's contribution to economic growth, green infrastructure and public health.
The HTA also highlighted the importance of recognising green spaces as essential infrastructure. Gardens, parks, trees and wider green infrastructure make a significant contribution to physical and mental health, productivity and climate adaptation. The Association is calling for greater protection and investment in green spaces, including increased support for Social Therapeutic Horticulture.
Rachael Hamilton MSP, event sponsor, said:
"I was delighted to sponsor the Horticultural Trades Association's Parliamentary Reception and welcome representatives from across Scotland's environmental horticulture and green spaces sector to the Scottish Parliament.
“The sector makes a major contribution to Scotland's economy, supporting almost 60,000 jobs and generating £2.6 billion each year.
“It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from Scottish horticultural businesses about the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and how we can help ensure they continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead”
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, said:
“The challenge for government is to join the dots. Environmental horticulture has a role to play across economic development, climate adaptation, public health and community wellbeing, yet too often these areas are considered separately.
“We need to move beyond recognising the value of green spaces and look at how we deliver and maintain them, and how we support the businesses that make them possible. Our members have the expertise, ambition and willingness to invest, but they need the right conditions to do so.
“Scotland has a real opportunity to lead the way. We want to work with the Scottish Government to turn that opportunity into practical action, creating a greener, healthier and more resilient Scotland.”
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said:
“The horticultural sector makes a significant contribution to our economy and enriches the lives of people across Scotland. I welcome the Horticultural Trades Association's continued engagement with us and hosting this event to highlight how government and industry can work together to unlock the sector's full potential, deliver our shared ambitions and recognise the businesses behind Scotland's green spaces.”
Business and Fair Work Minister Tom Arthur said:
“Economic growth is a core priority for the Government over this parliamentary term, and I welcome the valuable contributions Scotland’s environmental horticulture sector makes as businesses to Scotland’s economy, and job creation across a wide range of career pathways. I look forward to closer working with the HTA and environmental horticulture sector.”
