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King’s Speech Expected To Sidestep Peat Ban As Industry Uncertainty Deepens
Fresh uncertainty is hanging over the UK horticulture sector amid reports that the Government’s upcoming King’s Speech is unlikely to include long-awaited legislation to ban peat use. According to industry sources cited by HortWeek, the omission is linked to ongoing discussions surrounding a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, expected later this summer, which will need to address the complex issue of imported plants grown in peat-based media. The prospect of an
Berry-Picking Robots Edge Closer To Commercial Reality
Autonomous harvesting could soon become a far more familiar sight across British soft fruit farms after Cambridge-based agritech company Fieldwork Robotics secured £3m in fresh investment and grant funding to accelerate commercial trials of its raspberry-picking robots. The funding package includes a £2.2m investment round led by Elbow Beach Capital, alongside additional grant backing, including support linked to Innovate UK programmes aimed at advancing on-farm adoption of n
Hall Hunter Marks 60 Years At The Heart Of British Berry Growing
One of Britain’s best-known berry producers is celebrating a major milestone, as Hall Hunter Partnership marks 60 years of growing fruit in the UK. The family-owned business, founded by Mark and Mary Hall in 1966, began life supplying salad crops and vegetables to London wholesale markets while also offering Pick Your Own experiences. Six decades later, the company has become one of the UK’s leading berry growers and is now recognised as the country’s largest blueberry produc
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Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
UK Hospitality Calls For Government Energy Support As Costs Escalate
Hospitality businesses are facing mounting pressure from soaring energy costs, with industry leaders urging the government to step in with targeted support measures to protect the sector. Trade body UKHospitality has written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlining a series of proposals designed to help pubs, restaurants, hotels and wider hospitality operators cope with rising bills linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions and wider inflationary pressures. The organisation warned
Scottish Strawberry Season Begins On A Sweet Note
Scotland’s strawberry season is off to a positive start, with growers reporting favourable conditions and strong early development despite a slightly later start than last year. Soft fruit specialist Angus Soft Fruit officially began harvesting on 7 April at Barnsmuir Farm in St Andrews, with the crop currently running a few days to around a week behind the unusually early 2025 season. According to the company, this year’s timing is still broadly consistent with a more typica
British Tomato Fortnight To Champion Snacking Revolution
British Tomato Fortnight is set to return from 1-14 June 2026 with a major push to position British-grown tomatoes as the ultimate healthy snack choice for consumers across the UK. This year’s campaign will focus heavily on the growing demand for convenient and nutritious snacking options, highlighting the flavour, versatility, health benefits and sustainability credentials of British tomatoes. Organisers are also aiming to tap into summer occasions ranging from lunchboxes an
Farm Leaders Demand Political Backing As Pressures Mount On British Agriculture
Farm leaders have called on newly elected councillors and members of the Senedd to throw their support behind British agriculture, warning that the sector is facing mounting pressures from rising costs, global instability and ongoing regulatory challenges. The appeals come following local elections across England and the Senedd elections in Wales, with farming organisations urging political leaders at both local and national level to prioritise food security, rural investment
Potato Growers Face Fresh Uncertainty As Surplus Stocks Weigh On Market
Britain’s potato sector is facing ongoing uncertainty as growers attempt to offload large surplus stocks ahead of the 2026/27 season, following what many are describing as a deeply challenging campaign. According to reports from Farmers Guardian, the 2025/26 potato season is ending under considerable pressure, with many growers still holding excess tonnage while market confidence remains fragile. Planting for the new season was largely completed by the end of April, although
Gardening Week Aims To Inspire The Next Generation Of Growers
A nationwide campaign designed to encourage children to get their hands dirty and discover the joys of gardening is set to return later this month, with the UK horticulture sector hoping it could help nurture the growers and gardeners of the future. National Children’s Gardening Week will run from 23 to 31 May, bringing families into garden centres across the country for a week of planting, exploration and outdoor activities. Organised by the Horticultural Trades Association,
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