We have been working with the Horticultural Trades Association, who have produced the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants 3rd Edition. This guide has been produced to address the risk associated with certain species of plants, ensuring that the public is informed of potentially harmful plants at the point of purchase. For the first time the guide covers the risk to pets. The guide sets out voluntary guidelines for the labelling of plants (including bulbs and seeds), and recommends labelling those plants which fulfil the following three conditions:
• They have been identified as being a significant hazard to humans or pets (not livestock)
• The toxic parts of the plant are available or produced in the UK
• The symptoms following ingestion and/or contact can be serious (skin allergies are included, but respiratory and food allergies are not).
Plants are labelled in three categories – A, B and C – according to the severity of the hazard. The full list of plants is freely available to view or download on the HTA website.
