The Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) invited political guest to the Scone Palace Garden Fair this past weekend ( 31 May - 19 February 2025 ) to highlight the importance of gardening and environmental horticulture in communities .
Minister for Agriculture Jim Fairlie MSP , Alexander Stewart MSP , Murdo Fraser MSP and former MP Pete Wishart were given a tour by the HTA ’s Public Affairs and Policy Manager David Lydiat and Chair of the HTA Scotland Policy Forum Stan Green . usher in by Scone ’s Head Gardener , Brian Cunningham , David and Stan also gave a talk at the effect about the Environmental Horticulture Growth Strategy , with a focus on calling in the industry .
The guests were introduced to shower and HTA Members , and the topics hash out ranged from the monetary value of doing business to the benefits of gardens and flora for wellness retrieval , career and higher education trend , as well as the future of peat use .
Minister Jim Fairlie MSP annotate : " I am thankful to Lord Stormont and the HTA for this chance to celebrate Scottish environmental gardening and showcasing the wide - ranging benefits of gardening to our instinctive surroundings and our genial and physical health . The horticultural sector ’s contribution to the economic system and environs , through providing utilisation opportunities in a wide range of green careers , is vitally important . It was great to converge so many of the exhibitioner and take heed at first hand of their experience . "
Murdo Fraser MSP said : " I thoroughly enjoy being shown around the Scone Palace Garden Fair , a fantastic event and I was proud of to get wind this twelvemonth ’s attending of some 5,000 + people . It is clear there are some challenge facing the horticultural manufacture , yet it was supporting to get a line from various exhibitor and how they are meet these challenges and continuing Scotland and the UK ’s strong horticultural tradition . The HTA is doing splendid work championing the industriousness and control vital progression such as a passage toward peat - free plant production . "
David Lydiat , Public Affairs & Policy Manager of the HTA , allege : " We were really pleased to have such influential politicians charter and show an pastime in the environment horticulture and horticulture industry . Scone Palace Garden Fair provided a magnificent mount to showcase the best of horticulture . We roll in the hay there are challenges that the industry faces , but it also offers resolution , for example , in health and welfare recovery . "
Stan Green , Director of Growforth , reflected : " We major on the key subject impacting HTA members right now – career and skills for the next generation of those work in the industry are lively . Being recognised by political stakeholder is essential ; as an industriousness , we postulate to be in high spirits on their priority list , so we appreciate their metre and efforts . We were enquire for support from Scot Gov for the land - based courses and peat - free conversion . "
For more informationHorticultural Trades Associationwww.the-hta.org.uk
