A joint working party from the Committee for Horticulture and the Guernsey Growers' Association (GGA) has found no reason whey the growing industry in the island should not continue to play an important part in the local economy, despite its significant change.

The report, published yesterday, will form the basis of a Policy Letter from the Committee for Horticulture to the States of Deliberation, hopefully in July.

'It is stressed that some sectors of the industry, such as plant production, are showing strong and sustained growth. This has resulted in an eight per cent increase in the value of horticultural exports last year,' said the report.

'The overall conclusion of the Working Party is that the industry and the Island's government should plan jointly for an industry of the future which will make a valuable contribution to Guernsey's economy and life.' The report proposed that the Committee for Horticulture should identify the strategically important glasshouse areas and consult with the Island Development Committee concerning policies governing their use.

Another proposal is that the Committee should investigate with the Board of Industry the possibility of the creation of a single business development unit to give support and encouragement to growers.

It is believed that there is a need for a broader range of skills for key staff. Thus it is suggested that both the Committee and the GGA should this year complete training needs assessment for the industry.

It is acknowledged that the industry will have to adapt to the financial realities of a distribution system which is increasingly unable to maintain traditional distribution options at an economic cost. This is due to the reduction in flower exports.

Technical services should be maintained; there is a call for one or more periods of amnesty to encourage the return of dangerous chemicals without incurring a charge; the Market Development Scheme, the Advisory Support Scheme; and the Horticultural Interest Subsidy Scheme should all continue, with some suggested changes.

There are also proposals that efforts be made to rid the Island of derelict nursery sites through new incentive proposals and that a review be undertaken by the Cadastre to establish current nursery site values. In all there are 20 proposals in the report, which concluded: 'The Joint Review Working Group believes that, with the right, sites, quality, marketing, and investment, allied with growing and business skills, there is every reason to suppose that horticultural entrepreneurs can continue to successfully add to the business and financial mix of the Island.'

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