British horticulture praised by Environment Secretary
Environment Secretary visits RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015
Secretary of State, Elizabeth Truss, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Shower on 18 May 2015
Plant and flower exports topped 拢65 million in 2014 and the industry contributes 拢10 billion a year to the UK economy, employing over 300,000 people from scientists to tree surgeons.
Visiting the Chelsea Flower Show in London today (18 May 2015) to celebrate the UK鈥檚 booming horticulture trade, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said:
鈥淏ritain has long been a world-leader in gardening and horticulture, combining tradition and innovation.
鈥溁使谔逵齛pp industry is vitally important to our economy. I want to see it grow, going from strength to strength, with more people at home and abroad enjoying top-quality British plants, bulbs and flowers.
鈥淚 was delighted to visit the RHS Chelsea Flower show and to see for myself this fantastic showcase for our horticulture industry.鈥�
Plant health is vital to the success of the industry and protecting plants from disease is one of Defra鈥檚 key priorities. As part of her visit Elizabeth Truss toured the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) 鈥楤eyond our Borders鈥� garden.
皇冠体育app garden is inspired by the Defra-funded International Plant Sentinel Network (IPSN), designed to identify new and emerging plant pests and diseases and assess their impact on native UK species.
皇冠体育app Government鈥檚 robust approach to upholding the UK鈥檚 biosecurity helps protect and support our growing horticultural industry.