Environmental and land-based industries account for a large proportion of jobs and wealth generation in the national and global economy.
In the UK, the sector comprises over 1.1 million people in paid employment of which 42% are self employed. A further 500,000 volunteers work in the sector on a regular basis. Given the large and increasing number of migrant workers in the sector, we represent the interests of the wider labour market.
Our sector encompasses 17 industries ranging from floristry and animal care, to land-based engineering and fencing which can be clustered around:
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Land management and production
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Animal health and welfare
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Environmental industries.
Environmental and land-based businesses enhance the quality of life of everyone in the United Kingdom. They improve well-being by supplying quality-assured food, ensuring the health and welfare of animals, providing leisure activities, producing non-food crops including bio-fuels, enriching the rural and urban environment and protecting our natural heritage. Combined, these industries manage almost 90% of the UK’s landmass and represent around 217,000 businesses.
An estimate puts the sector’s contribution to national gross domestic product (GDP) at 5.7%. However, the industries have a much larger impact and contribution to the wider economy through related sectors including food and drink, leisure and tourism and energy and utilities.
Our research has indicated there is a need for management and leadership, marketing, and business development training across the sector to help businesses cope with the ever changing commercial environment. In a sector where the average age of business owners is 55, it is vital that younger people are encouraged to enter the sector to ensure its survival.
