It's not everyday you get invited to speak at the House of Lords. SF&G were honoured to be part of the Horticultural Sector Committee last week. Patricia Wallace, our Northern Ireland manager spoke in a debate on food production and greening our cities. Patricia provided evidence on the importance of providing green spaces within close access to housing, and the positive impacts it has on both individuals and communities.
‘’When you are thinking about urban horticulture, you must think close to where people live. Especially in areas of deprivation where you maybe don't have gardens and you don't have cars. These spaces have to be close to where people live, they have to be behind their houses, at the end of the street, within walking distance, a 20 minute community.’’ Patricia Wallace.
The evidence comes from a recent Benchmark report SF&G produced earlier this year on proposed policy in NI to support community growing. Read the full report here.
Joining her on the panel was Judy Ling CBE, honorary president of the Black Environment Network, and Wayne Grills, Chief Executive of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).
Watch Patricia from 11:34; https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/7b0a0303-d020-4576-94ec-887cf231f1b9?fbclid=IwAR2WDqmUoGyZyjO1UGSg48rnUb_gRz0pkMdX5MocGFd-vHuM9b9pQ8RxRZk
Patricia said of the event;
‘’I was so pleased to be able to contribute on behalf of Social Farms & Gardens and our members across the UK.‘’
After our discussion the committee then requested copies of our Benchmark Land Report, as well as copies of the Welsh Government’s Green Infrastructure Handbook and the Scottish Government’s indicator for access to green and blue spaces and studies on the productivity of allotments and community gardens in comparison to open field growing.
If you would like to help us make progress with the recommendations on NI policy, please get in touch with [email protected].