£5bn Transformative Vision Unveiled for Scottish Horticulture Sector

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has set out its Scottish Environmental Horticulture Manifesto, recommending practical actions that could unlock a £5.1bn economic opportunity for a greener, healthier, and more prosperous country by 2030.

Image: HTA – L-R Stan Green, Carolyn Spray (Pentland Plants), Katie Neenan

Unveiling the manifesto to members at Pentland Plants near Edinburgh this week, HTA said its proposals would foster greener jobs, healthier, more resilient communities, and stronger local businesses. 

The environmental horticulture sector, which includes retailers, growers, manufacturers, wholesalers, landscapers and garden designers, already supports nearly 60,000 jobs and contributes £2.6 billion to Scotland’s GDP. 

With the right policies in place, HTA said its proposals demonstrate that this economic contribution could almost double by 2030, helping to deliver Scotland’s ambitions for economic growth, wellbeing, and net zero ambitions. 

Among the recommendations, HTA is calling for: fairer business rates, smarter investment, faster planning decisions, consistent kerbside recycling, targeted investment grants, greater education among children, new apprenticeships, protection for green spaces, as well as an action plan for plant and tree production.

The manifesto has been produced ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections in May 2026 and sets out key policies that the HTA would like to see the new government adopt. 

Stan Green, Managing Director of Growforth and Chair of the HTA Scottish Policy Group, said the manifesto lands at a “pivotal moment” as the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is debated, and highlights how “vital” land use and long-term planning are for Scotland’s future.  

“Horticulture connects the economy, the environment, and our daily lives in fundamental ways,” Green explained. “Our industry has a central role to play in this, and by working collaboratively, we can ensure Scotland leads the way in demonstrating how cultivating plants cultivates prosperity, strengthens communities, and protects our natural world.”

Describing it as a “practical roadmap”, Katie Neenan, HTA Senior Public Affairs and Policy Executive, said HTA’s manifesto paves the way for a “greener, healthier, and more prosperous Scotland”. 

“We are outlining clear, actionable steps the Scottish government can take to foster growth, support businesses, and enhance both our natural environment and public health,” Neenan stated.

HTA’s Key Proposals 

1. Fairer Business Rates System & Smarter Investment: Support family-run SMEs facing rising operational costs by ensuring Scottish horticultural firms are not paying higher business rates than other UK regions.

2. Faster, Fairer Planning Decisions: Streamline planning processes to address regional disparities (‘postcode lottery’ effect), unlock barriers to sustainable growth, and allow retrofitting of sites for energy efficiency.

3. Consistent Kerbside Collections: Standardise kerbside recycling across all local authorities for recyclable non-black plastic plant pots.

4. Targeted Investment Grants: Offer grants to improve the sector’s water resilience, energy efficiency, peat-free practices, and automation adoption. Include garden centre retailers in funding schemes and simplify grant applications.

5. Nurturing Skills: Add statutory plant growing education to school curriculums (Key Stages 1 and 2) to build children’s understanding of the natural world.

6. Green Jobs: Formally recognise horticultural careers within the Scottish government’s green jobs definitions. Also further strengthen links between industry and educational providers. Plus establish new tree-production apprenticeships.

7. Green Spaces: Launch a cross-departmental Horticulture and Green Spaces Group to explore legal protections and maintenance standards for green spaces, and secure funding for local planting and community projects.

8. Action Plan for Plant & Tree Production: Develop a comprehensive action plan for ornamental and productive plant and tree production. Consider supply and skills gaps, and support non-forestry production with multi-year contracts for nurseries.

Download the manifesto here.