Hosted by Naktuinbouw, the Dutch horticultural inspection service centre in Roelofarendsveen, the group shared their current thinking and experiences on plant health, plant reproductive material, crop protection, plant breeders’ rights, research and innovation, careers and growing media.

UK delegates included Richard Harris and Andy Mitchell, team leaders at the Defra; Martin Emmett, board member of the Horticultural Development Company; Bill Parker, director of horticulture at the HDC; Raoul Curtis-Machin, head of horticulture at the HTA; John David, chief scientist at the RHS; Tim Edwards from the NFU and James Bean from the British Growers Association.

Raoul Curtis-Machin said the aim of the meeting was to build relationships and improve communications by finding “common ground”. “We found many areas where we could collaborate, for example with the upcoming Plant Reproductive Material and Plant Health legislation from the European Union, it is important to work together to achieve the best solution.”