David Seffen, NI Partnership Manager was part of the delegation from the Northern Ireland Horticulture Forum who met with Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development. The meeting focused on a range of issues including current economic pressures, sustainability, skills, training and the associated labour needs of the sector.
Skills development and training for horticultural staff leads to a considerable financial outlay for employers, particularly landscape contractors. While similar training in agriculture is subsidised, horticulture often has to meet all the cost. The aim of the Horticulture Forum is for horticulture to be promoted in a similar way to that of the agricultural sector.
The delegation also raised concerns around the potential impact that new Home Office regulations will have on the flow of seasonal and migrant labour, which forms a vital part of the workforce to many of the businesses represented.
