Jim Fairlie discusses gardening and horticulture challenges at CPG
The Scottish Parliament’s Gardening and Horticulture Cross-Party Group (CPG) hosted rural affairs minister Jim Fairlie MSP last week for a discussion on the sector’s opportunities.
The group, which brings together industry professionals and Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), had deputy leader of the opposition Rachael Hamilton MSP in attendance, while the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) served as the group’s secretariat.
Fairlie responded to concerns about funding for therapeutic gardens, as he pledged to reach out to the health secretary on behalf of the group to advocate for increased support.
The minister also fielded questions on the devolved issue of peat and invited the group to provide feedback on what practical support could look like.
He did also express the Scottish Government’s appreciation for the horticultural sector’s wide-reaching contributions, noting the role gardening can play in supporting mental health and recovery.
Rachael Hamilton MSP says: “It was a privilege to convene the Gardening and Horticulture CPG in the Scottish Parliament last night.
“I look forward to working with the industry to advocate for greater recognition of the benefits the sector can provide at future CPG meetings.”
The meeting also featured presentations from the University of Aberdeen on their school gardens project, David Lydiat from the HTA on horticulture sector statistics in Scotland.
It also featured a moving tribute by Stan Green of Growforth to the late Jim McColl, regarded as the ‘Grandfather of Scottish Horticulture,’ who had been laid to rest earlier that day.
Professors from the University of Aberdeen urged a renewed focus on outdoor learning in schools, calling for resources that enable schools to establish and maintain gardens for students.
They also advocated for gardening to be integrated into the curriculum across subjects and emphasised the need for teachers to have access to garden-based learning programmes.