The All-Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group held its inaugural meeting in Parliament recently, electing co-chairs Valerie Vaz MP and Baroness Fookes, as well as officers including Lord Taylor, Sarah Dyke, and fifteen other accepted MPs. This inaugural meeting under the new Parliament provided an opportunity to welcome new members and meet the Environmental Horticulture Group (EHG) representatives.
The APPGHG works with the EHG and other industry representatives to advocate for policy change in areas such as planning reform to ensure there are enough green urban spaces; trade and export strategy; green jobs and skills definition; and working with the government to ensure that environmental horticulture is part of its economic growth strategy.
Valerie Vaz, Co-chair of APPG and MP, commented:
“I look forward to working with the officers and members of the group. I see a particularly important role for the group as we scrutinise the new Government’s attitude to Horticulture, both ‘ornamental’ and edible. I shall be looking to see how seriously the Government takes this sector’s vital role in improving the environment and the health and wellbeing of people. In doing so, I shall call on the expertise of the excellent Environmental Horticulture Group, representing several key players in the industry and charity. I shall also measure the work of the Government by reference to the many recommendations made by the House of Lords Select Committee Report on the Horticultural Sector published in November 2023.”
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the Horticultural Trades Association, represented the EHG at the meeting and commented:
“We welcome the cross-party support from long-standing industry champions and new parliamentarians at the inaugural APPG meeting. Today’s meeting was an opportunity to discuss the industry’s top issues, focusing on cross-border trade and questions on a range of topics. The EHG is looking forward to continuing its support for the APPG in the coming months and years..”
