Regulation
BNG could unlock support for developments
Survey by biodiversity tech start-up, Joe’s Blooms suggests that Biodiversity Net Gain rules could be key to unlocking NIMBY support for housebuilding.
Regulation
Boost for horticulture as tariff on bulbs suspended
The Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs have confirmed a tariff suspension on all imported bulbs, corms and rhizomes including orchids and hyacinths in flower.
Regulation
Spring Statement 2025: Key points
During her Spring Statement, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out the plans for the UK economy in the House of Commons.
Regulation
HTA outlines actions for effective biosecurity measures and border to Parliamentary Committee
The Horticultural Trades Association gave oral evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee as part of its inquiry into border biosecurity.
Regulation
Industry calls on government to pause Plant Health fees hike
The British Potato Trade Association, the Fresh Produce Consortium and the Horticultural Trades Association urge the government to review the ill-timed fee hikes.
Regulation
The Gardens Trust campaigns to oppose removal statutory consultee status
Following the Government’s announcement that the Gardens’ Trust will no longer be a statutory consultee within the English planning system, the Trust is fighting back.
Regulation
Simpler Recycling legislation
On Global Recycling Day, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) celebrates the industry’s progress towards greater recyclability but stresses the importance of implementation of the Simpler Recycling scheme.
Business
Spring Forecast: HTA calls for decisive government action
Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Forecast, the Horticultural Trades Association calls for decisive action to support the environmental horticulture sector.
Environment
Woodland Trust launches Nature Emergency Scorecard for councils
The Woodland Trust is urging local authorities to declare a nature emergency and take urgent steps to restore community wildlife and green spaces.
Environment
Concerns regarding the Nature Restoration Fund
The UK government unveiled its planning and infrastructure bill which it says will remove barriers and boost housebuilding but has raised ‘growth-washing’ concerns.
HTA
HTA highlights the GB-NI trade challenges to Parliamentary Committee
The Horticultural Trades Association delivered evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee as part of its inquiry into the operation of the Windsor Framework.
Regulation
The Gardens Trust could be stripped of statutory consultee role in planning system
Aimed to speed up the planning system, the government announced a reduction in statutory consultees and that the scope of other statutory consultees will be narrowed.
Regulation
The Green Spaces Bill heard in Parliament
The second reading of MP Caroline Voaden’s Private Members’ Bill took place on the 7th of March, seeking to establish a Government Office for Urban Green Spaces.
Regulation
New Bill to champion green spaces and environmental horticulture
MP Caroline Voaden’s Private Members’ Bill, seeks to establish a Government Office for Urban Green Spaces.
Gardens
Green light for Manchester Digital Campus and city centre park
Planning consent has been granted for the new government office complex in Ancoats, Manchester alongside a new urban park.
Regulation
HTA Response to Environment Secretary’s Plan for Change Announcement
Designed to ease tension with farmers, the Environment Secretary, Rt Hon Steve Reed MP announced a series of policy announcements at the National Farmers’ Union conference.
Business
National Apprenticeship Week: Additional government support is needed
As a sector dominated by SMEs, the Horticultural Trades Association seeks to remove any barriers to the take up of apprentices, recognising the sector’s current significant shortfall.
Gardens
In protection of London’s Victoria Tower Gardens
London Parks & Gardens is nominating the Grade II listed, Victoria Tower Gardens to included on the Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
Regulation
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species webinar
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) hosted a webinar on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in collaboration with APHA, Border Force and Defra.
Worth watching
BBC Countryfile features Border Control Post issues
For BBC Countryfile, Joe Crowley provides a detailed overview of the concerns and ongoing problems of the new border checks and their impact on farmers, food and the industry.
