This week has seen a big push of penis funding and engagement by the Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) , with another successful technical workshop to support growers on the journeying to peat - loose , hosted at Melcourt and a meeting of the Growing Media Association ( GMA ) .
The HTA has built on its wide - rank work of 2023 and continues the grow mass medium : spirit Beyond Peat political campaign , which has encompassed its program of action rivet on raising the importance and understanding of the value of growing media , a need for a sustainable conversion to peat - free and ensuring support for the growing of UK environmental horticulture .
The new boost to this oeuvre is its outreach to members – from growers to producer – directly , through workshop and at the GMA coming together , to send in details of what backup they demand . In peculiar , this call is look for the contingent of machinery and equipment , with the opportunity open to see what Defra - led funds , such as the Farming Equipment & Technology Fund , could be accessed to patronise the changeover . The HTA is also seeking other new reinforcement necessitate – whether fiscal or regulatory barrier – in prevision of a Government Spending Review in 2025 .
James Barnes , HTA Chairman , commented : " The environmental horticulture sector has made huge footstep on its journey to peat - liberal and have its ambition to manufacture , mature in and retail uniform , high - quality and affordable alternative growing media .
" Much time and resource have been expend grappling with understanding shifting ban date and precariousness over lawmaking . Our ask for lucidness from the government , clear communications , and doable date to support our sphere to expand remains . However , given the electoral cycle and the criticality of this transition to HTA fellow member businesses , our precedence today is work with the industry and governance to secure greater support for this journey .
" We must celebrate our record book lows of peat - use in bagged growing medium and professional mix , something that has been achieved through a huge committal and dedication . "
Boyd Douglas - Davies , interim Chair of the GMA , commented : " This workweek ’s call to GMA and full HTA members to help oneself get that detail of the support needed to allow the investment , peculiarly on equipment and machinery , to support them becoming peat - free is a really important opportunity . From my experience in garden retail and the wider industry , I screw the hurdles and challenges business face and how these can change from season to year , store to stack away , and client to customer . The sector must work together and set out distinctly to the authorities that those need are . "
Wayne Brough , Technical Horticulture Manager at the HTA , enjoin : " This week ’s HTA Nursery internet effect , hosted at Melcourt , concentrate on ' Building momentum towards peat - free product . ' UK businesses are at various stages in their transition towards peat - free industrial plant production , so it ’s important that experience and knowledge are shared to countenance the integral ornamental industry to develop and meet the challenge alongside the various growing media manufacturers . The agenda included perceptivity from Catherine Dawson of Melcourt Industries and Raghavendra Prasad , who is lead the RHS peat - free family , and shared an update on baby’s room consortium progress . At each workshop and technical effect , we are work up on cognition communion , awareness , and practical advice for member businesses . "
For more selective information : Horticultural Trades Associationwww.the-hta.org.uk
