Horticultural Trades Association Parliamentary Drop-In

The Horticultural Trades Association HTA) held a drop in: “Introduction to UK Environmental Horticulture” on 24 March 2026.

The HTA represents around 1400 UK businesses across the breadth of the UK environmental supply chain. Member businesses range from growers and retailers to landscapers and service providers, who collectively deliver the gardens, green spaces and green infrastructure that delivers for the economy, environment, and our health and wellbeing. The HTA raised the following issues which affect their members: 

Border costs and a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement

Around 80% of HTA member businesses import non-UK sourced plant material. Supply chain costs have significantly increased since Brexit, particularly in 2024, with some businesses absorbing up to 25% higher costs and facing increased administrative burdens. businesses will need timely and practical guidance to understand what the changes could mean for day-to-day operations across environmental horticulture.

Energy Bills

Horticultural businesses, already struggling with high electricity costs, will see a further increase in their energy bills from April 2026 because the cost of Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charge is expected to nearly double, increasing by £3.68 billion to £7.52 billion. Bills will be further exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East which is already having an impact on oil and gas prices. Despite operating at similar energy intensities to other sectors, horticulture is excluded from the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) and Network Charging Compensation (NCC) schemes, threatening the viability of glasshouse growers and businesses using supplementary lighting.

Transition to peat-free

The HTA backs a supported transition to a peat-free future for horticulture, but the need to recognise that particularly in professional growing, is complex.