The HTA Technical Committee is now established as an important forum for technical, R&D and environmental legislative issues, according to the HTA.

The last meeting took place on June 8 at ADAS Arthur Rickwood in Mepal, Cambridgeshire. Each meeting is held on a different research site to ensure Committee members fully understand the capability and research opportunities within the UK.

This meeting focused on plant disease issues and viewed the various pathology trials underway on the site.

The HTA Technical Strategy and Action Plan, developed by the Committee, has now been circulated to key R&D providers with a number responding positively to HTA’s proactivity in this area. Presentations have also been made to providers at an HDC meeting of researchers.

Key research areas currently being progressed by the group include a number of project proposals submitted to SEEDA on measuring carbon footprint, the environmental impact/benefit of a typical garden and reducing waste in nurseries.

The group also identified root disease problems in Choisya as a significant problem and pathologists at ADAS Arthur Rickwood have begun an investigation. As the work of the Committee progresses members will work closely with R&D providers to develop focused projects to address the priorities within the Strategy.

How the industry addresses the risk from pests and diseases entering the country in imported plant material has been exercising Committee members. HTA is involved in a joint Government and industry funded project investigating responsibility and cost sharing in quarantine plant health. This project is evaluating potential levy and insurance schemes as well as current practice in other countries.

The HTA is working with growers to develop a voluntary Code of Practice which can be used by the industry to minimise risk and demonstrate best practice.

In other policy areas the Committee has co-ordinated the HTA response to the new Levy Body UK consultation as well as changes in government plant health and pesticide regulation. The group discussed the increase in production of edible crops by ornamentals producers and the associated concerns over pesticide application to these crops. The HTA will be producing an Information Sheet for members to ensure best practice in this area.

The group works closely with the HDC and reviewed projects to be presented to the HDC HNS Panel.

The Technical Strategy can be viewed on the HTA website. If you would like more information on the work of the group, or you would like to feed in more research needs please contact John Adlam on the Nursery Stock Advice Line.

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