Ahead of
the 12 December general election, the HTA has set out a manifesto outlining the
key policy themes and ‘asks’ that are fundamental to developing a strong and
vibrant horticulture sector.
This
includes maintaining access to seasonal labour in a post-Brexit world. The UK
ornamental horticulture industry is reliant on seasonal and full-time
experienced workers from overseas. This needs better recognition within a
future immigration system to ensure the sector can continue to develop and
thrive.
The HTA
is calling for Ornamental Horticulture to be included in a Seasonal Workers
scheme. The salary threshold for full time experienced workers needs to be
lowered in any points-based system to better recognise the market rates in
ornamental horticulture.
With the
recent sector skills survey showing horticulture facing on-going labour
shortages, this threatens an overall industry that is contributing over £24bn
GDP to the UK economy.
Tree
planting is one of the quickest and easiest ways to deliver carbon reduction.
The UK tree growing industry is well-placed and stands ready to meet policy
ambitions. However, for this to happen there needs to be a strong degree of
certainty created by Government, public and private bodies to provide fully
funded plans. This includes proper financial support for capital expenditure
and policies to alleviate the current shortage of labour. Nurseries require
this to commit to the significant upscaling and investment in production
infrastructure that will needed to meet the demand.
James
Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the Horticultural Trades
Association (HTA) said: “In this general election campaign we are calling on
all political parties to foster supportive and innovative economic programmes
to boost our dynamic sector’s full potential. We want to see sustainability and
climate change given the high priority it deserves. The garden industry is
uniquely placed to support wider national health and well-being benefits of
gardening and help create a Greener Britain. Not to forget, with 25m gardeners
in the UK - making it arguably the country’s biggest hobby - it is a group of
voters that political parties would be foolish to ignore.”
He adds,
“In the manifesto, we set out three key policy themes that matter most to our
members’ and the changes that will make the most positive difference to the UK.
We are committed to working in a collaborative, cooperative and coordinated
approach with a future Government on developing these policy proposals.”
The
HTA’s three key policy themes and specific ‘asks’ of Government are:
A competitive, productive and growing economy that
benefits everyone.
- Employer taxes and wage floor
increases should reflect market conditions
- Backing a flexible marketplace
- Horticulture should be better
recognised and supported by the Government as an engine of economic growth
Making the best of a post-Brexit world.
- Championing free and
frictionless trade
- Horticulture needs must be
included in immigration policy
- Plant health and biosecurity
needs to remain a high priority
Creating a greener Britain.
- Climate change and carbon
reduction matters
- Back tree planting, but the
detail is crucial
- A mix of woodland and urban
tree planting is needed
- Plant pots should be included
in a consistent local authority recycling system
- Work with industry on peat
reduction
The full manifesto can be viewed on the HTA website- https://hta.org.uk/news/htas-general-election-2019-manifesto.html
