The Horticulture Forum for Northern Ireland met with the Minister for Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, to highlight key issues impacting on the horticulture industry in Northern Ireland.

Topics addressed included the economic pressures facing horticulture sectors, the impact of environmental legislation, training and development needs and research and development requirements.

The Horticulture Forum for Northern Ireland was established in 2005 to provide a representative horticulture body that focuses on the needs of the entire sector and ultimately creates a stronger lobbying power for horticulture with government.

This umbrella organisation is made up of representatives from all the main edible and amenity horticulture sectors and as such provides a means of communication between all the horticulture sectors on collective horticulture issues.

The organisations represented on the Horticulture Forum include Growers NI, the Association of Landscape Contractors, UFU Vegetable Committee, NI Fruit Growers Association, Fruit Industry Federation, UFU, Lantra, Horticultural Trades Association and also includes representatives from the mushroom sector.

Robin McKee is the current chairman of the forum and secretarial support is provided by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Horticulture Forum meets about four times per year to take forward relevant issues. Michele Shirlow, Food Promotion NI, will address the next meeting to update members on the Good Food is in our Nature Campaign.

If you would like to know more about the Horticulture Forum for Northern Ireland contact the secretary, Elaine Chapman, on 028 9052 4236 or via email on elaine.chapman@dardni.gov.uk.