Local MP, Andrew Griffith, joined leaders of the horticultural sector in West Sussex to discuss the key issues facing the industry and its approach to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
During the meeting, industry leaders and the local MP spoke about the support available to the horticultural industry to embrace new green technology, what the Government is doing to tackle issues around labour and the backing nurseries, greenhouses and growers will receive to transition to a lower-carbon industry. Andrew heard first-hand about some of the challenges being faced by local businesses.
The discussion was joined by the West Sussex Growers Association, the Horticultural Trades Association and directors of eight horticultural businesses from around the county. The local Member of Parliament’s constituency of Arundel & South Downs has the second most nursery and growing premises of any constituency in the United Kingdom, with twenty six sites in total.
During the meeting, Mr Griffith was taken on a ‘virtual tour’ of Tristram Plants, showcasing the latest technology used by the business to sustainably produce large quantities of horticultural products while contributing to the local economy with both seasonal and longer-term employment.
Andrew Griffith MP said:
“It was a privilege to meet with so many large horticultural business owners and representatives to discuss the pressing challenges affecting the industry.
Arundel and South Downs’ plant growers make a significant contribution not only to our local area but the economy and environment of our country as a whole. Thank you to Binsted Nurseries, the HTA and WSGA for hosting the virtual meeting. It was good as always to hear directly from them on the latest issues facing their sector on seasonal labour, cross border trade with the EU and all of the positive work they are doing on sustainability.
I’ll continue to represent our local growers in Parliament including working with them to reduce red tape and bureaucracy to ensure the sector can continue to grow to enable it to further increase the contribution it makes in the fight against climate change.”
