HTA Column – Hasta La Vista from Boyd

H a s t a l a v i s t a

Boyd J Douglas-Davies, HTA President

Ok, it’s not original but it feels perfectly apt! Boris took office summer 2019, I became HTA President a few weeks later. He hands over the keys early September to… not yet decided. Four days later I hand over the chain of office to the immensely capable Alan Down. We both took up our respective offices believing the biggest challenge to be Brexit… oh well, if only! Three years and as many challenges for our industry, more if you add in the chaos that hit international shipping at the start of the pandemic. as they can’t see a market at the prices they will have to charge. Growers and retailers need to sit around a table now and decide how to safeguard production before we see more nurseries converted to housing estates.

GYO and other opportunities?

Covid

No doubt a game changer. Flexi working is now the norm in most office-based organisations. While it might challenge us all it must also be an opportunity for us to sell more. Indoor plant sales have boomed in the last three years. Let’s keep working on this category. Have you seen your favourite soap stars adding to their plants in Emmerdale or Albert Square? Between us all we must have many contacts in the media world, a word here and there will move the camera focus.

Brexit

Attending a dinner recently hosted by the ever-engaging Guy Moreton and his team from MorePeople I spoke with food processors and growers. Internationally sourced food is going to be incredibly expensive next year – GYO food might become a real economic decision for many. Another Growers and retailers need to sit around a table opportunity for gardeners? Has how affordable us all to help new and old anyone ever worked out it is – all costs accounted now and decide how to safeguard production for – to produce salad, veg and fruit at home? There’s a big PR story here to be shared with the Garden Media Guild. before we see more nurseries converted to Looking ahead, we still have many challenges to face but I’m confident horticulture is in a better place than it was three years ago housing estates. thanks to involved. the We combined have many efforts of everyone new participants, I’m not going to say the number as I know not everyone agrees on their longevity! Let’s make sure we keep We’ve seen issues already but I’m not sure the real impact has hit yet. reminding people how affordable, enjoyable, environmentally So much legislation has been slowed by covid that we can’t fully identify beneficial, healthy, engaging and happy a few minutes in a garden the long-term. At the HTA we are always looking for examples of what’s is. Government is very aware of how important our industry is really happening as a result of Brexit so please don’t hesitate to share and I have no doubt my successor and the team at the HTA will your experiences with the Policy Team. We have regular dialogue already have written to the new PM before you read this article. with the people that matter so the more you can share the better. Thank you to everyone that has supported me through my Presidency; it has been a wonderful three years. Good luck Alan, it’s over to you now!

Energy

The current/looming nightmare for all sectors. I keep hearing horror stories about the increases everyone is facing. Speaking with growers, UK and Dutch, over the last few weeks I can see big problems next spring for retailers. Many growers are reducing winter glasshouse crops, some to zero,

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The Horticultural Trades Association is the UK industry’s leading membership organisation. It welcomes all sectors of horticulture – to join please contact services@hta.org.uk.