House of Lords Inquiry into Horticulture

The Horticultural Sector Committee was appointed in January 2023 by the House of Lords to consider the development of the horticultural sector. 

Throughout the year, the committee held 24 public oral evidence sessions, including Wayne Grills on behalf of the Association and the Environmental Horticulture Group (EHG), received 96 pieces of written evidence, and went on four visits. 

The outcome of the inquiry – a report - Sowing the Seeds:  A Blooming English Horticultural Sector, was published on 6 November. The report highlights the committee have seen the extraordinary potential of the horticultural sector to deliver on the net zero agenda. The ornamental sector underpins a significant proportion of the Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan; it provides the conditions for an array of biodiversity to thrive, opportunities for natural carbon capture and support for urban landscapes through ambitious greening programmes. 
 
Despite the role the horticulture sector has to play in delivering on a number of government policies, strategies and plans, it faces longstanding challenges that have placed barriers in the way of what can and should be a thriving national sector. 

• A lack of cross-departmental working, poor ministerial oversight and the lack of a dedicated horticultural strategy 
• Relentless competition between supermarkets to keep prices low, which squeezes grower returns in the face of spiralling input costs and makes some crops unviable to produce 
• A long-term skills and education gap, leading to reliance on a poorly planned and managed seasonal migrant worker scheme
• Poor roll-out and communication on the forthcoming peat ban, with a lack of funding for research on alternatives
• Lack of long-term funding for research and development, particularly for automation and robotics, including strategic core funding for key institutions
• Poor understanding of the mental and physical health benefits of community gardening and social prescribing

The report notes if the challenges remain unaddressed, the ‘future of UK horticulture looks bleak’. But, with the right support, policies and funding, the UK horticultural sector can become a world leader in sustainable practices and policies. 

The report provides 167 conclusions and recommendations for the horticulture industry (defined as the production, cultivation and management of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants). These focussed on poor Government oversight and planning, lack of focus on ornamental horticulture, escalating costs, funding, biosecurity and UK-grown plants, lack of horticulture education from primary onwards, diversity, peat, climate change implications, BNG, high level of plastic use, and health and wellbeing benefits. 

The Association is currently reviewing the report, and will provide further response in due course. 

Read the full report here.