The UK ornamental industry demands seriously support from the UK government to scale up their production regarding Brexit.
So far the industry receives little direct support or fiscal incentives, says the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group with representatives of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) and Arboricultural Association.
Economic impact of industry
The industry says it is not being taken seriously by the government, for the benefits it delivers to the UK economy, environment, health and wellbeing. A new report by Oxford Economics reveals the economic impact of ornamental horticulture and landscaping: last year these industries generated €6 billion in revenue for the government. In 2017 the total GDP (gross domestic product) footprint of the industries was €27 billion.
Regarding the value of the industry, and problems expected with import after Brexit, it is now calling on the UK government to create opportunities to expand UK production. The industry also demands innovation funding in horticultural science, and support for the needed workforce in future.
Photo: Arno Engels
