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Lobbying & Government

The HTA is actively involved in protecting members interests and works hard to ensure that the concerns of the garden industry are adequately addressed in new and existing Government policy and in the thinking of all stakeholders.

In addition to publishing details in HTA News and specific press releases, the HTA produces a bi-monthly update on all HTA policy issues for both grower and retail members.  For the latest editions, please click on the links below;

The HTA seeks to influence policy decision making and implementation during:
 

  • The consultation phase prior to any new legislation
  • The implementation phase for new legislation
  • The ongoing enforcement and review of legislation


The HTA submits formal consultation responses to a wide range of policy consultations on areas affecting HTA members.  Responses are prepared by expert consultants in consultation with members, primarily through the representative Committees.  On retail issues the HTA works closely with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) to ensure garden retail concerns are reflected in BRC lobbying and to add detail and weight to HTA responses.  To view recent consultation responses click here. 

 The HTA works closely with the following key Government Departments in representing members concerns: 

  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
  • Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
  • Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)


This is repeated for the relevant Departments within the following devolved administrations:

  • The Scottish Government
  • The Welsh Assembly Government
  • The Northern Ireland Executive


The HTA also actively lobbies within the European Parliament and liaises directly with other UK agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as appropriate depending on the policy issue of concern.  These include:
 

  • The Environment Agency
  • Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
  • Natural England
  • Food Standards Agency (FSA)
  • CabeSpace
  • Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), incorporating the Horticultural Development Company (HDC)
  • Trading Standards
  • Low Pay Commission
  • Local Government Association (LGA)
  • Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)
  • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
  • National Trust
  • Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
  • Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
  • British Retail Consortium (BRC)
  • Landscape Institute
  • Planning Officers Society
  • British Hospitality and Restaurant Association
  • Trade Association Forum
  • Lantra
  • Skillsmart Retail
  • Waterwise
  • European Nurserystock Association (ENA)
  • National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG)


The HTA has a direct interface with MPs and peers through the All Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group (APPGHG).  This involves regular meetings with MPs supportive of the sector and their support in raising relevant parliamentary questions (PQs) and Early Day Motions (EDMs).  The APPGHG provides a unique forum for raising industry issues within Parliament.

 
If you have any specific concerns on policy issues, or would like to contribute your views to consultation responses please email Gary Scroby, HTA Policy Manager, on gary.scroby@the-hta.org.uk

 



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Last updated: 31/08/2010 17:48

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