Business
Spring Budget 2024
In his Spring Budget speech, the chancellor unveiled package of measures, deemed ‘thin’, amounting to around £10bn of tax cuts – half of the autumn statement.
Regulation
Hedgerow regulations to be brought into law to protect wildlife
English hedgerows will be protected in law as the government sets out its plans for domestic hedgerow regulations, following a consultation last year.
Regulation
Preventing the spread of invasive plants from gardens
Invasive non-native plants and animals are one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss and cost the economy over £2 billion a year.
Business
Future of plant imports: urgent government action needed
With just nine weeks until the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) changes the Horticultural Trades Association warns of risks to the future of UK plant trade.
Environment
Southern Water fined £330,000
Double pump failure diverts sewage across fields into watercourse near Southampton for nearly 20 hours.
Regulation
Ten weeks to critical border shift
Just ten weeks before the UK government’s planned switch-off of the Place of Destination (PoD) system on 30th April, when Border Control Points (BCPs) are set to become operational.
Business
Michael Gove visits nursery to discuss critical April border changes
Plants Limited welcomed the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP in Surrey to discuss concerns of the border changes.
Business
Cost of doing business in environmental horticulture
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has set out clear asks to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the Spring Statement 2024.
Regulation
RHS comments on Government’s response to House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee Report
Disappointing, says the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to the Government response to the report by the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee.
Regulation
HTA reaction to the Government Response to the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee
A missed opportunity, says the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) to the disappointing Government response to the report by the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee.
Business
NFU calls out to growers to share views on the supply chain
In response to Defra’s supply chain review on the horticulture sector, the NFU wants to hear from growers to help shape its response.
Regulation
HTA response to the Safeguarding the Union command paper
The government has published the details of the new 24 point plan for ‘safeguarding the union’ including legislation of Northern Ireland’s status in the UK and the replacement of the ‘green lane’ for goods in the Windsor Framework.
Regulation
Flower industry call for further grace period on post-Brexit border checks
Both the Dutch and UK flower industry express concerns regarding impending introduction of phytosanitary certificates on medium-risk products scheduled for 31 January 2024.
Business
Increased energy efficiency subsidies for Dutch greenhouse horticulture
The Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Piet Adema increased available subsidies by €12 million for greenhouse horticulture.
Regulation
Unlimited penalties for polluters
Companies who pollute the environment can be hit with unlimited financial penalties from the Environment Agency.
Business
Industrial Energy Transformation Fund expanded to include Horticulture
The Industrial Energy Transformation (IETF) Fund is now accessible to horticulture businesses with high energy use to cut their energy bills.
Environment
DEFRA: No plans to ban artificial grass
Stating a commitment to eliminating all avoidable plastic waste by 2042 and acknowledgement that artificial grass has no wildlife value, Defra has no plans to instigate a ban on plastic grass.
By the bye
Review into fresh produce supply chain fairness
Government launches review into contract fairness between producers and purchasers in the edible horticulture sector to ensure a fair price and transparency in the negotiation process
Regulation
Low-level offenders to plant trees to ease pressure on prisons
Offenders convicted of crimes such as drink driving and shoplifting are planting trees instead of serving short sentences in prison.
Health
Urban Green Spaces: Parliamentary evidence
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will hold the first evidence session of its inquiry into urban green spaces.