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.
Regulation
Biodiversity Net Gain framework updated
New draft legislation published with rules and guidance setting out the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) conditions imposed on planning.
Regulation
Defra announces £15m investment in protected landscapes
Government pledges to champion the environment in the run up to the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai.
Worth a read
Suburbanising the countryside
Rural landscapes deserve much more consideration and respect than currently granted.
Regulation
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) become ‘National Landscapes’
A new name to reflect the contribution made protecting the nation from climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis.
Regulation
Horticultural Trades Association reaction to Autumn Budget
Fran Barnes, Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Chief Executive responds to the Autumn Budget Statement.
Regulation
More protection for historic parks and gardens
The new Levelling Up and Regeneration Act received Royal Assent in October and is now an Act of Parliament (law).
Business
Bring Horticulture out of the shadows
Detailed findings of the Horticulture Committee’s 11-month investigation in the House of Lords report
Regulation
Steve Barclay new Defra Secretary of State
Steve Barclay has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs following Thérèse Coffey’s resignation.
Business
HTA joins forces to call for Scottish rates freeze
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and leading businesses have called for a freeze in business rates in Scotland.
Business
Horticulture matters
Horticultural Trades Association Chief Executive, Fran Barnes, calls on politicians for supportive measures for the sector that will deliver net-zero.
Regulation
Urban Green Spaces inquiry
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) have launched an inquiry will focus on the ecological, environmental and human benefits of green space.
Environment
HTA and RHS support growers transition to peat-free
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) launched the first of a planned series of peat-free workshops.
Environment
UK falling behind EU pesticide standards
The UK has failed to ban 36 pesticides that are not allowed for use in the EU, despite government promises to maintain standards after Brexit
