Trade leaders see strength through unity

摘要

The need for greater unity and cohesion in the horticulture industry was the message from representatives of the two largest growers' and landscapers' trade associations last week (HW. June 20), and this week more industry figureheads got behind thecall. Representatives for the arboriculture, gardening and retail sectors were all keen to stress the unique features and needs of their fields, but all were ready to recognise that there was a great need for unity. Operating from under the banner of "horticulture", they said, would give them strength in numbers. The Professional Gardeners' Guild represents some 800 members. A membership survey carried out earlier this year by the PGG elicited over 150 responses. Chairman Peter Fields preferred to be quoted in his capacity as a head gardener based in Norfolk. Isolation is a big problem for professional gardeners, according to Fields, who described gardening as "hanging off the tail-end of the horticulture industry". Relying on contact through professional bodies like the PGG, they are generally quite disconnected and left to fend for themselves.