At this week’s Royal Welsh Show, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) brought politicians, businesses and industry stakeholders together to discuss the vital contributions that environmental horticulture makes to Wales’ economy, environment, health and wellbeing.

The HTA used the show to continue conversations with Members of the Senedd and Welsh Government representatives about the priorities set out in its Welsh Manifesto, which calls for greater recognition of the role environmental horticulture can play in supporting economic growth, healthier communities and a more resilient Wales.

Llyr Gruffydd MS, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, attended the HTA’s Royal Welsh Show reception, where he met directly with HTA member businesses and heard first-hand about the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Speaking at the HTA’s reception hosted at the Lantra Building, Llyr Gruffydd MS, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, said:

“Environmental horticulture is about far more than just gardening and landscaping. It supports jobs and businesses, healthier communities, nature recovery, and places where people want to live, work and invest.

“Green infrastructure helps to manage flood risk, improve air quality, cool our towns and cities during periods of heat, and provide essential habitats for wildlife. As Wales responds to climate change and biodiversity loss, that contribution matters more than ever.

“Garden centres and horticultural businesses play a vital role in local economies, particularly in rural areas, and together we are working to create the conditions for this sector to grow — helping Wales become greener, healthier, more prosperous and more resilient.”

Jane Dodds MS, Welsh Liberal Democrats Leader and Senedd Member for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, also spoke at the HTA reception. Over the course of the show, the HTA met with a number of officials and political representatives.

The environmental horticulture sector contributes £1.8 billion to Wales’ GDP and supports 37,000 jobs, with the potential to grow to £2.1 billion by 2030. The HTA represents 44 member businesses across 70 sites in Wales, including garden centres, growers, nurseries and suppliers.

Discussions throughout the week focused on the opportunities and challenges facing horticultural businesses, including rising costs, water resilience, skills, investment and the need for stronger recognition of the sector’s contribution to Wales’ green economy.

The HTA also highlighted the wider benefits of gardens and green spaces, with 81% of Welsh adults saying they benefit their physical health, 86% recognising the benefits to mental health, and 84% saying access to gardens and public green spaces is important to them.

Katie Neenan, Senior Public Affairs and Policy Executive at the HTA, said:

“Environmental horticulture businesses across Wales are delivering significant economic, environmental and social benefits, but they are operating in an increasingly challenging environment.

“The Royal Welsh Show has been an important opportunity to bring together businesses, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss how we can unlock the sector’s potential and support its future growth.

“Our Welsh Manifesto sets out practical actions that would help create the conditions for horticultural businesses to thrive, from improving access to support and investment, to strengthening skills, water resilience and recognition of the value of gardens and green spaces.

“We look forward to continuing these conversations with the Welsh Government and Members of the Senedd to ensure environmental horticulture is recognised as a key partner in delivering a greener, healthier and more resilient Wales.”

A key highlight of the programme was an HTA-hosted panel discussion on the Dysgubor Stage, “How do we grow Welsh Environmental Horticulture?” The session featured James Evans MS, Chair of the Climate Change, Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs Committee, alongside industry representatives Roger Crookes from Pugh’s Garden Centre, Andrew Collings from Franchi Seeds and Sarah Gould from Lantra, exploring how Wales can support a thriving horticultural sector through skills, productivity, investment and sustainable growth.

James Evans MS, Chair of the Climate Change, Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs Committee, said:

“My thanks go to the HTA and their member businesses involved in the Royal Welsh Show for highlighting the important contribution this sector makes to Wales. I was delighted to join the panel discussion and hear directly from businesses about the opportunities and challenges they face.

“As Chair of the Climate Change, Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs Committee, I welcome the opportunity to continue listening to the sector and understanding how we can support a thriving and sustainable horticultural industry in Wales.”

Roger Crookes, Pugh’s Garden Centre, said:

“The Royal Welsh Show is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the contribution horticultural businesses make to communities across Wales.

“Businesses like ours are proud to support local economies, create jobs and provide plants and green spaces that benefit people’s health and wellbeing. However, like many businesses, we are facing rising costs and increasing pressures that make it harder to invest for the future.

“Having the opportunity to speak directly with policymakers is hugely valuable. We want to work with the Welsh Government to ensure we have the support we need to continue growing and delivering benefits for our local communities.”

The HTA’s Welsh Manifesto sets out priorities for working with the Welsh Government and Members of the Senedd to support environmental horticulture through policies that encourage sustainable business growth, strengthen water resilience, develop future skills, support investment and recognise the sector’s contribution to economic growth, biodiversity, health and wellbeing. This includes developing a Horticulture Strategy for Wales, establishing stronger cross-government working on environmental horticulture and green spaces, improving access to financial support, supporting UK plant production, strengthening skills pathways, and ensuring businesses can operate and grow sustainably.

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