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THECOMMERCIAL GREENHOUSEGROWER • MARCH 2017
• NEWS
Sept 5-6
th
2017
Tel: +44 (0)1477 571392 Email:
The UK’s Premier show
for Ornamental Horticulture
offer the best taste and texture.We believe that vertical farms
will become increasingly important, because in the futurewe
seemore economic and environmental pressure to produce
fruit and vegetables, such as lettuce, closer towhere end-
customers are located.”
Brexit and plant protection
products
HowBrexit might affect plant protection products has been
explored in the latest of AHDBHorticulture’sHorizon reports.
The newAHDB report published last month looks at the
various pieces of legislation impacting the use of PPPs in
theUK and puts forward four broad options for post-Brexit
regulation. These products currently go through a ‘harmonised’
process throughout Europewith active substances receiving
general approval at EU level and specific product uses
controlled at national level. The report says that strict criteria
means that about 58% of applications are rejected by the
EU, which has implications in terms of time and associated
costs. In addition, says AHDBHorticulture, both the number
of available products and their efficacy are being pressured
by an increasingly challenging regulatory environment and the
growing resistance of pests, diseases andweeds to products
now on themarket.
The latest Horizon publication also outlineswhat standards
theUK is committed to under various international agreements
on human, animal andplant health and how thesemay affect
future regulation, aswell as the consequences for trade.
Author of the report, SarahBaker, AHDBSenior Analyst, said:
“There is immense complexity in this area of regulation in terms
of theUK’s obligations at both EU and international level.
Although plant protectionmay not be at the top of the priority
list for negotiators, the continued supply of safe and nutritious
food is of fundamental importance and these products are
often key to growing healthy and profitable crops. In the short
term, it is likely not muchwill change aswider Brexit issues are
more likely to take precedence but the industry cannot treat it
as business as usual. TheUKmust start thinking about what
it needs to achieve through plant protection andwhat might
be gained from a new regulatory framework. Thiswill involve
balancingmyriad interests, including theUK’s reputation in the
global marketplace, howUK farming and growing businesses
remain economically viable, environmental considerations and
customer preference.”
Hadlowbursaries available
HadlowCollege is to offer three bursariesworth 80% of tuition
fees for the first year of its BSc (Hons) Commercial Horticulture
programme as part of plans to helpboost the overall amount
of graduates entering the horticulture industry.
HadlowCollege said “The availability of food is largely
dependent on the proficiency of farmers and growers, so it is
worrying that production horticulture – that part of the industry
responsible for commercial foodproduction – has been
recording a shortage of graduate entrants for many years.
The situation is gettingworse and several British universities
and colleges have been forced to close their higher education
programmes in commercial/production horticulture due to low
application numbers.”
Hadlow’s 1,000 acre estate includes a range of commercial
businesses run to exemplar industry standards. The income
the college derives is invested in developments that support
students’ HadlowRural University experience. Students
benefit from the chance to gain valuable ‘real life’ experience
by undertaking paidworkwithin the various businesses.
In addition, a number of competitive scholarships and
internships, sponsoredby industry, are open to students
studying a higher education programme at Hadlow.
Application forms for theCommercial HorticultureBSc (Hons)
Bursary - together with further information - can be obtained
fromPatriciaCrawfordAssociates: 01622 618628, pat.
