The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has called on the government to prioritise green infrastructure and better support for small businesses, as highlighted by HTA Chief Executive Fran Barnes during the Industry Forum Spring Reception held on 21 May.
Speaking during the event, Fran Barnes emphasised the critical role of the UK's environmental horticulture sector in supporting the economy, environment, and communities.
She made a compelling case for recognising and investing in green spaces as essential national infrastructure.
"There is a lot of talk about investing in infrastructure – roads, railways, energy,” she said. “But we need to start talking more about green infrastructure… green spaces, trees, and plants need to be seen as a critical part of our national infrastructure, and we need to invest in them, and ensure green spaces are central to our planning. I heard last week that it is easier to get planning permission for six new car parking spaces here in London than it is to get permission to plant six trees. Plants are central to life. Do we need to realign our priorities?"
The Spring Reception, co-hosted by the HTA during RHS Chelsea Flower Show week, brought together government ministers and parliamentarians alongside Industry Forum business members. Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Services, Small Business, and Exports, delivered the keynote address.
The event provided a timely opportunity to discuss the significance of environmental horticulture businesses, especially as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show attracts support from around 40 HTA members, including members of the Association of Professional Landscapers.
Highlighting the significance of the timing and the sector's makeup, Fran said: "Environmental horticulture is a sector where over 90% of our businesses are SMEs. This is Chelsea Flower Show week, where the eyes of the world look to London to see the best in horticulture - growing, designing and landscaping. HTA members are the businesses that make Chelsea what it is.
"It is often said that SMEs are the ‘lifeblood’ of the economy. And that is true of our sector – environmental horticulture supports good, green jobs, 722,000 of them and delivers £38 billion to GDP."
Fran stressed that the contribution of horticultural businesses goes far beyond just economics: "Small businesses in horticulture go beyond delivering just for the economy… It’s worth remembering that legally binding net-zero ambitions cannot be delivered without us. Our trees cool cities, and our green spaces mitigate floods. Environmental horticulture delivers biodiversity... Gardens, parks or green spaces are life-enhancing – they deliver for the wellbeing of our country’s people."
She also addressed the wide range of challenges HTA members are facing, from business costs and planning delays to the impact of climate change, stating: "All SMEs represented here will be impacted by global politics, the cost of doing business, living wage hikes, inheritance tax shifts, booming business rate bills, getting the skills they need, daily import headaches, planning delays – these all add cost – whether time or money – that should be being spent on investing in and growing their businesses. However, environmental horticulture – and our members who grow, sell and plant our green spaces also have to deal with the impact of more extreme and erratic weather– they are, in effect, on the front line of dealing with the effects of climate change, as well as an important part of the solution to mitigating those effects."
Concerning the global nature of the sector, despite its SME base, Fran also noted total imports and exports of plants and plant materials, valued at £810 million. Addressing specific trade barriers, she called for progress following recent UK-EU discussions.
"The costs and uncertainty of cross-border trade over the last few years have become an increasing burden on our members, which has gone beyond the boundaries of acceptability,” she added.
“We are optimistic and support the UK pursuing a new relationship with Europe. The announcement this week of an SPS agreement, which includes plant health, is something we have led calls for and will be hugely welcomed by our members.
"We look forward to working with the government to deliver certainty for these members and all the businesses we represent. And to championing horticultural businesses and green infrastructure to enable us to deliver a healthier environment, healthier communities and a healthier economy. Let’s get it done as quickly as possible and ensure it really does deliver less friction and fewer costs.”
