In a letter to the Secretary of State, grower representatives warn that vital funding for British fruit and vegetable production is due to expire this year, with no replacement in place. While growers in the EU, Scotland, and Wales will continue receiving this crucial support, those in England risk being left behind. Meanwhile, one in ten children don鈥檛 know where carrots come from1, highlighting a growing disconnect between young people and their food.
NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmett said: 鈥淭o truly 鈥榤ake the healthy choice the easy choice鈥�2, as the government has pledged and is also a core part of the government鈥檚 food strategy3, the UK must ensure a reliable, affordable, and healthy supply of fresh produce. That means backing domestic growers.
鈥淏ritish growers produce to world-leading standards, and growing food domestically is key to helping the next generation understand where their food comes from. Yet right now, just 17% of the fruit and 53% of the vegetables we eat are grown in the UK. That鈥檚 a huge, missed opportunity.
Growers say the government's health ambitions can't be met without a strong horticulture sector. Yet the sector has faced continued economic shocks, planning barriers, supply chain uncertainty and extreme weather events. To truly boost confidence and meet the government鈥檚 ambition that requires long-term investment in homegrown produce.
Mr. Emmett continued: 鈥淥ur horticulture growth strategy4 lays out the foundations for success. We鈥檙e ready to grow more, produce more, and help turn the tide on diet-related illness. But we need government backing to do it.
鈥淲e urge the Health Secretary to work closely with Defra and industry leaders to unlock the potential of British horticulture and help deliver on the government鈥檚 vision for a healthier England.鈥�
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Notes to editor:
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路听听听听听听听听 Signatories of the letter includes:
o听听 Martin Emmett, Chair, NFU Horticulture & Potatoes board
o听听 John Walgate, CEO, British Growers Association
o听听 Nick Marston, Chair, British Berry Growers
o听听 Ali Capper, Chair, British Apples and Pears
o听听 Simon Conway, Chair, Tomato Growers Association
o听听 Scott Walker, CEO, GB Potatoes
o听听 Tim Elcombe, Chair, British Onions
o听听 Rodger Hobson, Chair, British Carrot Growers Association
o听听 David Simmons, Chair, Brassica Growers Association
o听听 Tim Casey, Chair, Asparagus Growers Association
路听听听听听听听听 Grower case studies are available for interview and invites on to farm to learn more are available, get in touch with the NFU press team to find out more.
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4.听 听 听 Delivering growth for the UK horticulture sector 鈥� 91仓库