Organisation

ENA (European Nurserystock Association) represents nursery stock growers’ organisations all over Europe. We represent 30,000 nurseries growing plants on more than 130,000 hectares and employing more than 250,000 workers. Within the European Union, ENA members account for around 80% of the plant business turnover in the nursery sector.

Our core mission

Our mission is to advance the green sector and clear the way to the European market. We represent the common interests of growers and traders at an international level, serving as a platform for exchanging knowledge and defending the industry’s interests before European Union institutions.

KEY STRATEGIC THEMES

and Working Groups

Communication

Focusing on internal communication within the ENA, with its members, and with external target audiences.

Topics

Communication

Focus

Communication

Labour & Education

Focuses on sustainable nursery production, biodiversity, climate adaptation and environmentally responsible cultivation practices within the European nursery sector.

Topics

Labour shortages

Training

Education

Recruitement

Knowledge transfer

Sector attractiveness

Focus

Labour shortages

Recruitment

Training

Education

Legislation & Policy

Tracks European legislation and public policy affecting nursery production, sustainability, trade and environmental regulation while representing sector interests within EU policy discussions.

Topics

EU Green Deal

Nature Restoration Law

Farm to Fork

Fertiliser Regulation

Public affairs

Trade regulation

Sustainability legislation

Policy monitoring

Regulatory harmonisation

Focus

EU legislation

advocacy

administrative burden

strategic representation

Market & Promotion

Supports market development, sector visibility and promotional initiatives that strengthen awareness of the environmental, economic and societal value of plants and green infrastructure.

Topics

Green Cities Europe

Urban greening

Market trends

Consumer awareness

Green infrastructure

Promotion campaigns

Trade development

Focus

market development

promotion

Green Cities

sector visibility

Phytosanitary Regulations

Monitors plant health regulations, biosecurity risks and phytosanitary compliance related to plant trade, disease prevention and cross-border movement within Europe.

Topics

Xylella

Plant passports

Biosecurity

Nursery hygiene

Traceability

Invasive species

Phytosanitary inspections

Focus

plant health

disease prevention

EU phytosanitary compliance

Plant names & Digitalisation

Focuses on uniform plant nomenclature, including its digital exchange based on standards within the European nursery sector.

Topics

Focus

Sustainability

Focuses on sustainable nursery production, biodiversity, climate adaptation and environmentally responsible cultivation practices within the European nursery sector.

Topics

Biodiversity

Climate adaptation

Water management

Pollinators

Peat reduction

SDGs

Carbon sequestration

Focus

circular horticulture

carbon

Biodiversity

climate adaptation

circular horticulture

STRUCTURE

and Governance

Executive Board

Led by the President, supported by a Vice-President and Treasurer.

General Assembly

The official body of ENA, composed of delegates from member organisations.

Secretariat

Daily business is managed by the Secretary General, Josep M. Pagès, based in Belgium.

Working Groups

Specialized groups collaborate on technical and political matters, such as Sustainability, EU Legislation, and Digitalisation.

BOARD

& Secretariat

Secretary General

Josep M. Pagès

Secretariat Location

Sint-Denijs-Westrem

Belgium

Board Members [Placeholder: Names and associated national organizations of board members].

BRIEF HISTORY

1990's

Founded in the early 1990s by representatives from Germany and the Netherlands, ENA was established to foster economic and cultural cooperation within the expanding European market.

BRIEF HISTORY

2013

In 2013, ENA updated its statutes to become a non-profit organisation (npo) based in Belgium.

PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS

ENA is thankful for the cooperation of the former ENA Presidents:

1991 – 1994 Alex Spaargaren (The Netherlands)
1994 – 1996 Andre Briant (France)
1996 – 1999 Lorenz von Ehren (Germany)
1999 – 2002 David Clark (United Kingdom)
2002 – 2004 Willem Sanders (The Netherlands)
2004 – 2006 Peter Schjott (Denmark)
2006 – 2008 Gwen Byrne (Ireland)
2008 – 2010 Willy De Nolf (Belgium)
2010 – 2012 Jaume Riera (Spain)
2012 – 2014 Maurizio Lapponi (Italy)
2014 – 2018 Tim Edwards (United Kingdom)
2018 – 2021 Jan-Dieter Bruns (Germany)
2021 – 2024 Henk Raaijmakers (the Netherlands)
2024 – Tim Van Hulle (Belgium)