Representatives from across the horticulture industry came together on 19 January for the parliamentary launch of the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Action Plan at the Palace of Westminster. The plan was described by HTA chief executive Carol Paris as heralding “a golden age” for the horticulture industry.
Hosted by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, the event brought together Defra Minister George Eustice MP, members of the Houses of Commons and Lords and industry leaders.
Mr Eustice, who holds an HND in commercial horticulture, praised the industry sector for coming together to create the plan. “It does include asks of government, but I’m reassured by the commitments from industry to help themselves and to actually move forward certain projects.”
Reaffirming his commitment to supporting the sector, he said horticulture was a vital industry he was passionate about.
The Minister touched on the need to change perceptions of the sector and attract talented graduates. He also spoke about the importance of the supply chain and the need to work towards greater parity and greater sharing of risk between smaller fragmented producers and larger businesses.
The Ornamental Horticulture Action Plan , which is the result of close collaboration between industry experts facilitated by Defra, identifies 12 priority areas where government and industry could work together to encourage and aid long-term growth.
Among the changes the sector would like to see over the next five years are:
- Gardening considered as a treatment on the NHS
- Public bodies and publicly funded works and projects to use UK plants
- International garden expo to be created to showcase UK horticulture
- Modernisation of the supply chain to improve relationships and competitiveness and reduce dependence on imports
- Introduction of a higher level of horticultural apprenticeship to addresses skills shortages
- Garden centres and retailers should be exempted from the Sunday Trading Act
In her opening address Sue Biggs, director general of the Royal Horticultural Society, said: “It is great to see UK horticulture unified and focused and working together to take on the challenges that have for far too long held this sector back. Horticulture has a vital part to play in the future of this country – not only for the fiscal health of this nation with its £10.4bn contribution to the UK economy, but also for the health and well-being of our country, of our people, our plants and our environment.”
Carol Paris, chief executive of the Horticultural Trades Association, added: “I believe we are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry. By taking horticulture into the realms of health, environmental and societal benefits – more than just looking pretty – we are developing new markets and skills as well as tackling some of the biggest national and global problems we face. We have never seen lasting collaboration on this scale before, and it is definitely starting to bear fruit.”
RHS Young Ambassador – 10-year-old George Hassall from Manchester, a self-confessed ‘nature nerd’ and ‘gardening geek’ –spoke passionately about his interest in gardening and wildlife and the benefits that it brings. He said, “I know a lot of my friends love their Xbox – I’m not saying that they should stop playing it altogether but take five minutes, go outside into the garden and get some fresh air and it will make you feel a lot better.” Following an interest development at home and through his school gardening club, George is keen to champion gardening as he moves to high school next year.
The organisations behind the development of the first ever cross-sector action plan include the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, Grow Careers, AHDB Horticulture, the Horticulture Innovations Partnership, the HTA, Landex, the National Farmers’ Union, the RHS and Young Hort. They will continue to guide its development over the next five years.
