Minister Gougeon , in a recent letter addressed to the new Secretary of State for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs , Steve Barclay MP , urged talk on a sensibly timed modulation to peat - gratuitous practices . The HTA put up this call , emphasizing the penury for a cautiously planned teddy to bear out raiser and palliate potential impacts on the Scots horticulture industry . Additionally , Minister Gougeon highlight the necessity for a flora health agreement with the EU to cover challenges arising from post - Brexit business deal dynamics .
Banning gross revenue of Horticultural Peat"DEFRA has set a date of 2026 for banning the sale of peat for professional horticulture . Regrettably , this is in advance of the Scottish Government ’s aim to ban the sale of horticultural peat and , because of the interlinked nature of supply chain , is likely to impact the Scottish gardening industriousness . We are cognizant that this has make significant alarm and concern among Scotch and UK raiser of plants and trees and will be almost inconceivable for them to comply with . It would be helpful to remove this arbitrary date to enable word to go far at an agreement with the horticulture industry and across all nations on a date that gives the manufacture sufficient time to conversion . "
Along with HTA fellow member , David Lydiat , HTA Public Affairs and Policy Manager , has been ensuring that the worry of the horticultural industriousness are raised in Holyrood and that MSPs have had the chance to meet with members first - helping hand to understand the challenge .
David commented : " The HTA wants to transition to peat - free in a sensitive timeframe , which allows professional tree and flora grower to produce the Carry Nation ’s plant at the quality and quantity need . We involve constructive discussions across nations between regime and industriousness , assure a feasible conversion flow . The industry is at a historical Sir David Alexander Cecil Low for peat use , having made significant pace in late years . We receive the Cabinet Secretary ’s sensible intercession , realizing the endangerment that a step on it date pose for gardening business as well as tree and plant product in Scotland and the wider UK . "
Plant HealthMinister Gougeon writes : " While welcome progress is being made on borderline biosecurity and the implementation of import stoppage , entrust the EU has lead in an unneeded incumbrance for businesses import and exporting food and other brute product . The UK must abandon its foe to alignment with EU standard and adopt a pragmatic coming to swap with our expectant trade partner to enter into a Comprehensive Veterinary Agreement , negate the demand for SPS controls between the UK and the Single Market . A like agreement should be developed for plants and industrial plant intersection . "
David Lydiat accentuate the need for enhanced dialog between the EU and the UK on plant imports to foster smoother trade intercourse :
" Since January 2021 , the industry has follow import and exportation requirements outlined in the Trade & Co - operation Agreement ( TCA ) due to the absence of a Sanitary Phytosanitary ( SPS ) or plant wellness accord with the EU . However , there needs to be better negotiation between the EU and the UK regarding industrial plant imports . Given that the time value of imported plant material surpassed £ 753 million in 2022 , constituting one-half of the cumulative value of the UK ’s tree , plants , seeds , and lightbulb production sector . We are pleased that Minister Gougeon has prioritized this business concern . "
In addition to peat and works wellness , Minister Gougeon ’s letter touched upon an self-governing review of labor shortages , post - Brexit trade deals , and the Deposit Return Scheme ( DRS)/Extended Producer Responsibility ( EPR ) .
For more information : Horticultural Trades Associationwww.the-hta.org.uk
