The initiative brought a delegation of Italian nursery companies to the UK with the aim of strengthening commercial links with British operators and providing first-hand insight into the market. The programme combined participation in key industry events with meetings and visits to leading operators across the sector.
At the Four Oaks Trade Show, the delegation took part in a full programme of meetings with exhibitors and industry stakeholders and was also joined by the Italian Consul in Manchester, Gabriele Magagnin. The programme included two dedicated sessions. The first brought together representatives from HTA, Defra and APHA to discuss the UK-EU SPS framework, phytosanitary requirements and practical issues affecting trade. The second, “Climate Change: The Impact on Nursery Production”, featured contributions from ANVE President Moreno Pinto and Luigi Pagliani, ENA Delegate and former President of ANVE, and focused on the role of Mediterranean and water-wise plants in supporting the resilience of UK landscapes in response to increasingly hot and dry conditions. HortWeek hosted the session.
The mission began with a visit to Bents Garden and continued with a study tour of leading British nurseries, giving the participating Italian companies the opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the UK production and supply chain and to engage directly with local businesses. The programme included visits to Les Halman Nurseries/Quality Ornamentals, David Austin Roses, Boningale Nurseries and Fullbrook Nursery.
The mission provided the Italian delegation with a valuable opportunity to strengthen links with the UK market, exchange knowledge with key industry stakeholders and explore new commercial opportunities for the Italian nursery sector. The support provided by both the HTA and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) throughout the preparation and delivery of the mission played an important role in its success, laying the foundations for continued cooperation and the further development of the relationships established during the week.
