Bord Glas initiative showcases hardy nursery stock for international buyers
The “Ireland Uncovered” trade visit by the 23 buyers was organised by Bord Glas, the horticultural development board, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland. It was part of an initiative which aims to highlight the quality and range of nursery stock to international trade buyers. Bord Glas chief executive Michael Maloney said nursery growers had benefited from natural climatic advantages and a long tradition in plant cultivation and silvaculture.
They have also invested in the latest production technology and have achieved economies of scale and efficiencies by utilising specialist growing skills and through ongoing technical training. Minister of State Noel Treacy, speaking at the show, which attracts over 3,500 visitors, who view exhibits by some 50 nurseries, said the Irish hardy nursery stock sector was valued at over 30 million and made a valuable contribution to the economy.
In addition, the sector plays a very important support role by making a wide range of high-quality plants available to Irish garden centres, who in turn contribute to the economy, with current estimated sales valued at 494 million, half of which is spent on plants and flowers. He said his department contributes to the industry by providing plant health services and a grant scheme under investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector.
Fifty nursery crop production projects involving investments of over 2.1 million were approved for aid in the first round of the scheme. This should go some way towards redressing the lack of capital available for investment, one of the main barriers to expansion for many producers. Mr Treacy said this year, Bord Glas, in association with Macra na Feirme, also launched a seasonal horticultural worker scheme. This involved the recruitment of students from agricultural and horticultural colleges in central and eastern Europe from May to October.
“It is hoped that this scheme will go some way towards alleviating the problem of a lack of suitable personnel available to nursery producers and that it might be approved again in future years,” he said. Mr Treacy said the export market was still only in its infancy, but the Kildare show and others like it both here and in Britain should help to increase this trade. Stressing the importance of access to European markets, which EU membership has facilitated, he said it was vital for the future of Ireland in general, and for farming and horticulture in particular, that the referendum to ratify the Nice Treaty is approved. “Failure to do so would seriously undermine our credibility in Europe and, consequently, our capacity to influence policy, he said.”
