Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will have discussions with the horticultural sector to embed green space delivery in the Environmental Improvement Plan.

The Government recognises the importance of the environmental horticulture sector in promoting people’s health and wellbeing, and its potential contribution to our environmental goals.

I have met with stakeholders including the Royal Horticultural Society and the Horticultural Trades Association, in recognition of the importance of this sector.

Officials also meet regularly with the sector, including the Environmental Horticulture Group, a coalition of industry leaders from across the sector. These discussions help inform policy development and will continue to help us understand what support the sector needs to help it thrive and to best support delivery of the Environmental Improvement Plan.