Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to ensure that the environmental horticulture industry receives adequate support and acknowledgement, and is regarded as part of the "green economy" in assessment and support.

The Government recognises the crucial role the UK’s environmental (or ornamental) horticulture sector has in not only promoting people’s wellbeing and in meeting our environmental goals, but to the economy – ornamental horticulture production being worth £1.5 billion in 2022.

With announcements made at the No.10 Farm to Fork Summit this year, we have committed to work across Government to support horticulture on energy, planning and seasonal labour. This is in addition to the existing funding streams that the horticulture sector can access, including the Farming Innovation Programme, the Farming Investment Fund and the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Defra regularly engages with the horticulture industry to understand what support they need to continue to produce great food. Our discussions with industry representatives help inform future policy development and help us understand what support the sector needs to help it thrive.