Plant health and biosecurity were top of the agenda as the Horticultural Trades Association hosted the ‘Protecting Our Plant Supply Chain and Your Business’ seminar, a collaborative event bringing together subject experts with horticulture retailers across the UK.

Held in partnership with Defra and APHA, the seminar aimed to highlight the collective responsibility businesses share in safeguarding the integrity of the plant supply chain, equipping delegates with the latest updates.

Pippa Greenwood, Horticulture Manager at the HTA, said: “As the trade body representing all parts of the horticultural supply chain from seeds and young plant production, right through to the horticultural retail and amenity sectors, biosecurity is key to the HTA and its members.  We want to ensure that all our members are given up-to-date information and advice, which is just part of what today’s event achieved. We’re a nation that loves plants and gardening, but what we all want and need is healthy plants, and for that, a biosecure supply chain is fundamental.”

HTA Chief Executive Fran Barnes welcomed attendees and set the scene for a packed programme of expert-led sessions. Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Nicola Spence, got the event underway as she outlined the critical need for robust biosecurity measures to protect our environment and bolster the UK’s trade capabilities.

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Nicola Spence said: “Protecting the nation’s biosecurity is critical to preserving our natural environment and safeguarding our trades and imports.

“We all have a part to play in maintaining our plant health status and opportunities to share knowledge and discuss current threats and issues, provide improved collaboration and security across the sector.”

The seminar programme delved into the pressing threats facing the horticulture sector. Duncan Allen from Defra outlined the latest high-risk pests and emerging challenges, arming retailers with the knowledge necessary to remain alert to any threat and subsequent actions to support businesses. APHA’s Derek McCann and Ed Birchall followed with a thorough overview of plant passporting, surveillance, and interception processes to help businesses know how to maintain compliance in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape.

A panel discussion moderated by the HTA’s Pippa Greenwood focused on certification schemes, with insights from industry experts like Malcolm Catlin (Plant Healthy), Wayne Brough (OHAS), and Geoff Caesar (Allensmore Nurseries) with practical takeaways for members committed to strengthening their practices.

In the afternoon, the HTA’s Dave Denny, APHA’s Lucy Carson-Taylor and Forest Research’s Emma Hinton discussed innovative strategies to boost consumer awareness around plant health. Defra’s Robert Worth introduced the Plant Health Information Service, while APHA’s Lydia Andrews explained the intricacies of importing and trading endangered plants under CITES regulations—information critical for every retailer in attendance.

The event concluded with an in-depth panel discussion on the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), particularly in the context of plant health. The panel was chaired by Boyd Douglas-Davies and featured representatives from Defra, APHA, and the HTA.