Tristram Plants Director, Martin Emmett, has been elected as the new chair of the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes board. Martin is the first grower from the ornamental sector to take this role and it compliments his work on the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group.

Martin said he is, “Delighted to have been elected as Horticulture and Potatoes board chair and I’m looking forward to working with the board to ensure our industry has a bright future. The fruit, veg, plants and flowers we produce in Britain are world-leading and we should be looking to maximise our production of these products and grow our self-sufficiency.”

With regards to labour supply and rising costs, Martin says, “We cannot escape the pressing issues facing our sector,” Martin continued, “namely labour supply and rapidly rising costs. I’m committed to working with government to raise these issues.

Martin also thanked Ali Capper “…for her years of work as the chair of the board, navigating turbulent times and issues including the UK’s exit from the EU and ongoing labour shortages. I’m pleased she will remain on the board and look forward to continue working with her.”