The British Herb Trade Association (BHTA) is inviting membership from other sectors.
The group already represents more than 70 companies involved in herbs and allied trades and is now inviting those in the sector not already on its books to consider joining.
Chairman Mathew Prestwich said: “In order for the association to continue to provide the service it does in the current climate, we need to involve a wider range of members, including existing growers and users who are not currently involved. The herb industry in Britain is, as with many other sectors of the industry, becoming more competitive and regulated and it is this that has triggered the decision to open up the membership to a wider audience.”
The BHTA hopes to welcome packaging manufacturers to aid in R&D for commercial production of herbs as well as machinery manufacturers, centres of learning, recruitment consultants, laboratories, and suppliers of training, IT, logistics, raw materials, glasshouses and plant-protection products. There would also be a category of membership for botanical gardens.
“The benefits of membership include; critical legislative updates, quarterly newsletters containing industry specific information, plant protection information, regular technical meetings which include elements of legislation, items for projects and research, new product development and collaborative work with HDC/Adas,” said Prestwich. “We have a fantastic network of specialists within the association and are in regular contact to ensure all members are provided with as much information as possible to ensure the sustainability of the industry. We also have a presence at Europam, the European governing body for our industry to lobby the European Parliament.”
The British Herb Trade Association represents more than 70 companies involved in herbs. These companies cover a wide ranging and diverse sectors including garden pot, commercial pot, fresh cut, dried, medicinal, pharmaceutical and processed - both frozen and washed. The membership also contains allied trades such as consultants and learning establishments.
“We feel that in doing this we will be able to apply ‘joined up thinking’ across our membership and close some of the gaps encountered when developing strategies to ensure the sustainability of our industry,” said Prestwich.
Further details are available from info@bhta.org.uk.
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