Regulation
The government has released the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework, confirming the re-introduction of mandatory housing targets and new ‘golden rules’ for building on the Green Belt.
Business
New survey data from the Horticultural Trades Association highlights the severity of the risks posed to the horticulture sector by the Autumn Budget.
Regulation
The new EU General Product Safety Regulations come into effect this week, affecting all businesses associated with the supply or sale of products on the EU market.
Business
In 2023, the environmental horticulture sector contributed £38 billion to the UK economy, supporting over 722,000 jobs, which by 2030, could be worth £51.2 billion, states new report.
Regulation
The Horticultural Trades Association and the Fresh Produce Consortium have issued further calls for action on the worsening border-related issues to the Environment Secretary, Rt Hon Steve Reed MP.
Regulation
The Horticultural Trades Association asks the Chancellor of the Exchequer for consultation before implementing the 2024 Autumn Budget measures, which will be extremely damaging to many horticultural businesses.
Regulation
The Scottish Parliament’s Gardening and Horticulture Cross-Party Group hosted Rural Affairs Minister Jim Fairlie MSP to discuss the sector’s opportunities and challenges.
Careers
The October KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs signalled declines in permanent and temporary placements, with experts warning further dampening due to the Autumn Budget
Regulation
Today, Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP of Glastonbury and Somerton conducted the first reading of a Ten-Minute Rule bill to end the sale of peat.
Regulation
The UK government has appointed Ruth Davis OBE as the first Special Representative for Nature, a joint FCDO and Defra role reporting into the Environment Secretary and the Foreign Secretary.
Business
A coalition of growing media manufacturers have formed the ‘Growing Media Manufacturers’ Council’ to champion a positive future for growing media.
Business
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has delivered the Labour Government’s first Autumn Budget to Parliament which will be tough for businesses.
Regulation
On the 6th of November 2024, Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP of Glastonbury and Somerton will conduct the first reading of a Ten-Minute Rule bill to end the sale of peat.
Regulation
The Horticultural Trades Association and the Fresh Produce Consortium have issued a joint letter to the government, calling for urgent action following October roundtable meeting on plants, cut flowers, and border-related issues.
Regulation
Defra has published the new Plant Health Information (PHI) Service, which provides information on phytosanitary requirements for importing plants, seeds, and plant products into Great Britain.
Regulation
The government has outlined a package of measures for seasonal workers employed by farmers and growers in the UK’s horticulture, poultry and sheep sectors.
Regulation
The Horticultural Trades Association has called for vital action from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to support the environmental horticulture sector ahead of the 2024 Autumn Budget.
Regulation
The final day of the Conservative Party conference marked the close of the Horticultural Trades Association’s active participation in this year’s political party conference season.
HTA
The Horticultural Trades Association live-streamed a Town Hall to members, with Defra and APHA representatives at a regional event hosted by Joseph Rochford Gardens, Hertford.
Natural Capital
The Royal Horticultural Society is calling for a review of the Biodiversity Net Gain 4.0 metric, updated planning guidelines to require cultivated landscapes, and garden masterplans for urban areas.