Good afternoon dear supporters, I hope you can somehow enjoy this beautiful Sunday afternoon.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) kindly shared this statement from Sue Biggs. In it she details the stark reality facing thousands of people involved in the horticultural supply chain.
Yes there are many online initiatives trying to mitigate the enormous financial losses looming, but let's remember that not everyone can, wants, or knows to shop online.
So if you haven't done so yet, please share this petition as wide as you can. Thank you so much!
Stay safe, stay home, stay happy
Sylvie
Protecting the future of horticulture
Statement from RHS Director General Sue Biggs, 31 March 2020
The RHS is deeply concerned about the threats facing the Ornamental Horticulture sector due to COVID-19, as are all our partners in the industry body, the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group, which includes HTA. Our sector is made up of hundreds of family-run businesses who have delivered world-class plants for us all to enjoy. In this time of great uncertainty, the RHS wants to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gardening, something that is much needed for the mental and physical health of much of our population. If steps are not taken to support the growers that underpin one of Britain’s favourite past times and £24.2 bn industry, then many of these businesses will cease to exist, and vital growing skills will be lost to the country.
Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, says; “By the end of June, we estimate that the Ornamental Horticultural industry will face £687 million in lost sales which would balloon to a staggering £1.198 billion by December 2020. Behind each of these numbers is a family or business struggling to keep their passion for plants alive. Everyone at the RHS stands with them and calls on the UK Government to act now to save the Ornamental Horticulture industry. It is vital that we ensure that all of us can continue to enjoy gardening and the many benefits it brings.”