TheFarmingRoadmap:ABALISummary
Context
Formedin1972,theBritishAssociationofLandscapeIndustries(BALI)representstheinterests ofapproximately1800memberbusinessesandover950accreditedmembers.Membersinclude landscapecontractors,suppliers,gardendesigners,arboriculturists,trainingproviders,students andotherrelatedprofessionals.
Thefarmingroadmapisgovernment’slong-termvisiongivingfarmersclaritytoinvest,adapt andbuildaprofitable,productive,sustainableandresilientfutureforEnglishfarming,including horticulturewhichunderpinsthelandscapingindustry.BALIandourmemberscouldprovide valuablesupporttoaidintheimplementationoftheroadmap’sproposalstoimprovethe agriculturalindustry,duetotheirabilitytoshareindustryspecificknowledgewiththe governmenttoimprovethegovernment’sunderstandingofthebenefitsdeliveredbythe landscapingindustry.
Summary
Thegovernmenthaspledgedtoinvestigatebarrierstogrowthinthehorticultureindustryand theaimtogrowthehorticulturalindustry,mentionedthroughouttheroadmap,ispromising. ThereisalsoapushtodiversifythelandscapesacrosstheUKwiththeLandscapeRecovery(LR) initiative,andthiswillreceivegreaterfundingafter2030.Thisfundingcouldbebeneficialto BALImembersasitwillprovidevitalsupporttotheenvironmentalhorticulturesectorand encouragegreaterconfidencetoinvestinthesector.
However,thereisalackoffocusedsupportforthehorticulturesectorwithintheroadmap.A largefocusoftheroadmapsurroundshelpingfarmerstosolveissueswithseasonallabourand staffing Whilethisisakeyissueforourmembers,withoutsectorspecificsolutionstothese issues,anyproposedguidanceisunlikelytomakeameaningfulandlastingimpactonthis challenge.
Akeyissuethattheroadmapconcentratesoniswatermanagementandreducingwaterwaste. Nature-basedsolutionstoimprovewaterquality,suchasregenerativepracticesthatwould improvesoilhealthandpromotecleanwater,arechampioned.TheseissuesarecentraltoBALI andourmembers’work,withBALImembersworkingtoensurethatsuitabledrainagesystems (SuDS)arebothcreatedandmaintainedandthatlandscapingcontributestowatermanagement solutions
Watercompaniesareencouragedtocompensatefarmersforfollowingcleanwaterpracticesand reducingwaterwaste.Agriculturalwaterregulationswillalsobeconsolidatedintoasingle framework.However,therolethatlandscaperscanplayinaidingthereductionofwaterwaste andpollutionisn’tmentioned.Watermanagementisincrediblyimportantbutgovernment policiesaroundwatermustreflecttheroleoflandscapinginmanagingwaterqualityand volume.
Supporting, representing, and accrediting the landscape industry
Althougheveryefforthasbeen madetoensureaccuracy,neither BALInortheauthorcanaccept liabilityforerrorsandoromissions.
Ourasks
Despitethisroadmaphavingpromisingpledges,infutureagreaterfocusonaspectsof horticulturenotsolelyrelatedtofoodproduction,wouldbebeneficialfortheindustry.This roadmapwouldalsobenefitfromfocussingonamoreintegratedapproachtotheindustry, wherebylandscapeprofessionalsandfarmersworktogethertoencouragepositive environmentaloutcomes.Wewoulddesirethatthegovernmentalsofocusesonimplementing changesinurbanareas,alongsideruralareas,asthiswouldallowmanyofourmembersto deliveracrossmanyofgovernment’senvironmentalobjectivesandgivemoreofthepopulation accesstoqualitygreenspaces.
Supporting, representing, and accrediting the landscape industry
Althougheveryefforthasbeen madetoensureaccuracy,neither BALInortheauthorcanaccept liabilityforerrorsandoromissions.