Cancelled for 2020
The meaning of a ‘crisis’ has been redefined for all of us over the past few turbulent weeks. As a result of the restrictions now in place to control the spread of the coronavirus, it is with regret that we announce the Horticulture Week and DEFRA ‘Going for Growth’ conference has been cancelled for 2020.
We fully support the industry we serve and will continue to provide news, analysis and intelligence over the coming months through this unique time. We look forward to meeting you all again soon and will review the ‘Going for Growth’ conference, with DEFRA, in 2021.
Please stay safe and keep well.
The Horticulture Week Team
Growing the UK ornamentals industry through investment, people and technology
Given changing exchange rates, post-Brexit trading arrangements and tighter biosecurity policies there is a clear opportunity for the UK ornamentals market to expand and grow. It is estimated that currently over 50% of the supplies to UK retailers comes via or from the Netherlands. Being over reliant on this international supply is not only a risk for the market dynamics, but more significantly a biosecurity risk.
UK growers demonstrating good quality service through quality produce, efficiency and variety, should be able to compete with continental markets and substitute plant imports. This would not only significantly grow the domestic market, but also reduce domestic biosecurity risk.
However, UK ornamental growers face a number of challenges which need to be overcome to expand production. Going for Growth: The UK Ornamentals Market Conference is the opportunity for policy makers, growers, plant buyers and their suppliers to come together and develop strategies to help the UK ornamental growers grow their market share.
WHY ATTEND:
During the one day conference we will examine the issues that need to be addressed to enable the industry to seize this opportunity – including skills, labour, productivity, automation, r&d, commercial issues. Moreover, with the support of Defra we will truly identify the level of demand in the UK for the plant imports to be substituted.
Nicola Spence, Chief Plant Health Officer, DEFRA:
“Increasing trade between nations means more threats from pests and diseases, and all businesses have a part to play to limit the spread of plant diseases through simple actions.
I welcome the prospect of this horticulture industry symposium and any chance for ornamental horticulture businesses to come together and share knowledge.
Indeed, in government we prioritise creating new legislation and regulations around biosecurity, but it’s also of great importance for us to collaborate with the horticulture businesses which we work so closely with to ensure that we protect our landscapes from plant pests and diseases.”
Lord Gardiner, Biosecurity minister, DEFRA:
“We are looking forward to partnering with Horticulture Week for this conference. The event will provide a great forum for discussion around the respective challenges and opportunities that are facing the horticulture industry at the moment.
Protecting our country from pests and diseases is a priority to government to safeguard our environment, economy and health. As such, I welcome any opportunity for the sharing of ideas and knowledge with horticultural sector key players to improve biosecurity in plant trade.”