The Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) has welcomed the publication of the report from the class - long House of Lords Horticulture Committee extra question for recognizing the importance of UK horticulture as a key deliverer of environmental targets . At the vanguard of the report ’s recommendation is the HTA ’s top ask for increased crabbed - departmental collaboration within the government to acknowledge the sphere ’s relevancy across policy areas .
Having actively contributed to the question through impactful write and in - person evidence , legion industry visits , and ensuring the voices and opinion of its members were hear , the HTA and wide-eyed environmental horticulture sector receive acknowledgement throughout the news report for their invaluable contributions to the saving and the following of a final - zero hereafter .
James Barnes , HTA chairman , commented : “ We are a sphere contributing billion to the thriftiness , supporting nearly 700,000 jobs and enrich the UK ’s public spaces – both urban and rural as well as our home garden . The Lord ’s report recognizes this significant note value and challenge the government to make an environment that supports the growing of our original green diligence , allowing it to bloom and boom .
“ The report prioritizes one of the HTA ’s key asks – for the machinery of government to work more effectively for horticulture . The report card propose the administration of a cross - government working group , recognizing that environmental horticulture spans many insurance policy portfolios - planning , wellness , net - zero , trade , and business – to name just a few . We have called for a Government Office for Green Spaces to serve as that bridge .
“ While the report delves into the typical aspects of environmental and eatable horticulture , it identifies common challenges such as business deal , peat , energy , and science . The report places significant emphasis on borders and craft and insure biosecurity remains a top priority whilst delivering smoother and speedier border campaign . The paper ’s recognition of the grandness of international trade is particularly welcome , impart UK horticulture has been both first and hardest hit by border change . We also appreciate the urgency placed on modernizing the CITES permit organisation to ensure it is primed for function and fend off unnecessary befuddled consignments .
“ The commission heard important grounds on peat , which distinctly stated that time is a major broker in being able-bodied to transition to other forms of grow medium sustainably , and the composition admit that bans alone will not drive home a sustainable transition , which is a important footfall . We already have record lows of peat usage , surpass our European neighbor , and the support measures outlined in the report need urgent review and effectuation to help further procession .
“ The economic value of horticulture , whether in the pursuit of net - zero goal , urban cooling , biodiversity enhancement , or upgrade health and wellbeing , is celebrate throughout this report . It is now imperative for politics official and policymakers to to the full comprehend , hotshot , and originate the necessary actions for the sphere not only to subsist but to thrive . We urge the government to capture this chance , utilize the insight from the report , and ensure that gardening becomes a lively policy solution that overstep multiple departments . In brusque , it ’s clock time to release countersign into action and civilize a brighter , greener future for all . The HTA is now working through the item of the almost 200 - pageboy report and look forrad to talk about it in great detail .
“ We exsert our gratitude to the honorable Lords and Ladies and the citizens committee clerks for their consecrated work , as well as to the industry for their sincere and passionate part . ”
For more information : Horticultural Trades Associationwww.the-hta.org.uk
