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HTA Technical Committee

The HTA Technical Committee, chaired byJohn Adlam, operates to identify the key research and development needs within ornamental plant production and to find ways to for these to be addressed.

This group was established in 2006 and maintains a Technical Strategy (see link below).  The Strategy has identified priority areas to assist the industry in:

  • Improving productivity
  • Providing a competitive edge through innovation
  • Minimising the impact of environmental and legislative pressure
  • Improving the uptake of R&D results through training and technology transfer


Fundamentally the Committee does the following:

a) Brings together growers, consultants, research providers, engineers and funders
b) Identifies new areas requiring research and development
c) Maintains and updates a research strategy for the sector
d) Ensure growers and scientists are up-to-date with the latest market strategy, technology opportunism and the critical R&D problems and that research proposals are based on these.   This includes presentations and discussions with industry experts.
e) Promotes the importance of R&D within Government policy to Defra and other Government departments
f) Ensures R&D proposals are properly developed to meet industry needs
g) Unlocks funding streams through Defra, HDC and other sources, including the EU, with the potential for HTA funding where other routes fail
h) Organises appropriate technical visits/study trips and workshops
i) Responds to government science consultations
j) Acts as the prime HTA consultative body on statutory technical issues and responds to new legislation and policy proposals e.g. on peat, pesticides, plant health, waste, water, levy board, etc

The Committee comprises of technical representatives from leading growers with input from relevant research establishments.   The group maintains links with the bedding plant industry and all the specialist groups operating under the HTA umbrella.   Other specialisms and resources, including engineering, will be added as required to the group.  



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Last updated: 09/05/2012 13:00

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