The European Commission
will launch a new market observatory for fruit and vegetables later this year,
a move which it says will ‘bring greater transparency and analysis to [a]key
sector for European agriculture.’ It will also launch a market observatory for
wine at the same time.
Although fruit and
vegetables account for 2401 per cent of EU agricultural output, because the
fruit and vegetable sector comprises such a wide range of products, the focus
of the new observatory will be on tomatoes, apples, citrus fruit, peaches and
nectarines.
The Commission currently
has four observatories for crops (cereals, oilseeds and proteins), sugar, meat
and milk. As part of the plan sector experts will meet regularly to discuss the
state of the market.
Photo Caption: The
European Commission is to launch a new market observatory for fruits and
vegetables.
The Fruit and Vegetable
Alliance, the industry organisation established by The Food Foundation in July,
has met with Defra minister George Eustice to urge for more government support
for the sector.
The Edible Horticulture
Roundtable urged the minister to develop a strategy to get British consumers
eating seven portions of fresh produce a day, with as much as possible coming
from UK sources.
The Fruit and Vegetable
Alliance is a diverse group of producer groups and organisations including
British Growers, British Summer Fruits, G’s Fresh, NFU, Organic Farmers and
Growers, Produce World, the Soil Association and others. At the meeting it was
chaired by Jack Ward of British Growers, who said, “The coming together of the
industry, charity and Government bodies signals a positive new approach to
domestic fruit and vegetable production. By focussing on working together to
increase support to the UK fresh produce industry, we can help to ensure that
horticulture gets the recognition and support it deserves.”
Anna Taylor, executive
director of the Food Foundation, added, “We all need to eat more fruit and veg
to optimise our health and prevent disease, and for that we need a thriving
horticulture sector which stimulates consumer demand. Government policy has a
critical role to play in ensuring a productive future for British fruit and veg
growers and we hope this new engagement with Defra will help secure that
future, in the interests of the nation’s health.”
Following their calls for
growers to get involved in the consultation on the future of the Agriculture
and Horticulture Development Board, a group of growers has launched a campaign
calling for the AHDB levy to be optional.
The review closed on 9th
November, but a spokesman for the group said, “Due to a lack of effort by the
AHDB, there was a lack of knowledge about the review amongst growers. AHDB are
keen to contact growers when it suits them; however, they are less keen to
write to the levy payers informing them about a fundamental review. The NFU
could also have been more proactive in informing growers about the importance
of the review.”
He said that telephoning
local growers showed that “hardly any levy payers knew of the AHDB levy
review,” a situation which was common across a range of business including
flower growers, large area vegetable producers and potato growers. Following
discussions, a number of growers have come together to lobby for a voluntary
levy, which was one of the options proposed in the review.
“90 per cent of the growers
we have contacted have agreed that the levy should be voluntary,” continued the
spokesman. “This would mean that if your business doesn’t benefit you would not
have to pay. Currently the levy is a statutory one and when growers are unable
to pay, they are threatened with court action and bailiffs are sent in. The
levy of support we have had demonstrates how unpopular and costly the AHDB is
and the poor value for money that it gives the growers whose money they
collect.”
The group is also unhappy
with the strategic direction and AHDB’s ambitions to increase growers’
efficiency. “The AHDB Strategy for the Future suggests that they don’t realise
the cutting-edge production that is already in place,” said the spokesman.
“Economics dictate the margins that both large and small growers receive, as
you have hundreds of growers selling to a few nationwide retailers and
processors who are in an unremitting battle with each other. Despite their
technical abilities, investing huge amounts of money into their businesses does
not guarantee success for growers and margins are continually eroded –
undermining everything we are trying to do to protect our businesses and to
inspire the next generation.”
He also pointed out that
due to the nature of commercial horticulture, many businesses commission their
own research in order to gain a competitive advantage, and that AHDB’s
knowledge transfer activities work against this. “Over the next few years in
order to cope with the results of Brexit, it is crucial that businesses are
sustainable, lean and flexible and have contingency in their budgets. This
means not having to pay a statutory levy to AHDB and we hope that other
growers, particularly those who were in the dark about the review, will respond
to our petition with a resounding ‘yes,’ by e-mailing us at; AHDBpetition@gmail.com.”
New AHDB Board Member and
Horticulture Chair, Hayley Campbell-Gibbons said that there had been a “healthy
level of response, especially from growers” to the government’s open review of
AHDB, adding; “It’ll be interesting to see how many growers favour a voluntary
levy over a statutory one. A voluntary levy would certainly focus the mind,
although it could create a short-term culture and mind-set in what is a
long-term industry.”
Campbell-Gibbons said she
wanted to understand what growers value about AHDB, but also reflect on the
things that might require new focus or which need to stop or change. “It’s no
secret that there are a range of views on AHDB’s role and performance, and
speaking to those who get involved with AHDB, it delivers enormous benefits,” she
added. “But, perception is reality, and AHDB perhaps can be bolder in
communicating the benefits and spreading the word. However, even in the few
weeks I’ve been involved with the organisation, I can tell you there is no
complacency.
“In my role as a board
member and chair I want to ensure that everything AHDB does and communicates
addresses the ‘So what?’ factor. From AHDB’s EAMU work on plant protection
authorisations, to our flagship SCEPTREplus programme, our strategic farms and the
exciting new work on labour as part of our SmartHort campaign, we need to show
growers that they are getting bang for their buck.”
She acknowledged that AHDB
needs to keep pace with the rate and scale of change in the industry, something
that she believes makes AHDB’s role in “accelerating the development and
adoption of new research and technology” more important than ever before in
order to “give British horticulture a competitive edge.”
Campbell-Gibbons concluded
that she didn’t want the industry to see the closing of the review as the end
of the conversation on AHDB’s work, telling growers: “It’s your levy body and
as your AHDB representative the more you communicate with me, and vice versa,
the more we’ll both benefit. Over the coming months I will be considering and
acting on the responses, and be out and about to hear your views and share our
forward plans. I look forward to working with you.”
The post Growers
launch campaign for voluntary AHDB levy appeared first on Hort News.
The House of Commons
debated whether supermarkets should have to offer fruit and vegetables which
are not wrapped in plastic, following an online petition which managed to gain
123,000 signatures.
Under the rules of the
Government’s petition, any campaign which achieves more than 100,000 signatures
is eligible for debate by MPs. The debate was opened by Steve Double MP, a
member of the Petitions Committee.
Prior to the debate, the
Government had responded to the petition saying, ‘We are working with retailers
and the Waste and Resources Action Programme to explore the potential for the
introduction of plastic-free initiatives in supermarkets in which fresh food is
sold loose, adding, ‘Packaging has an important and positive role to play in
reducing product damage, increasing shelf-life, and reducing food waste.’
However, during the debate,
Sandy Martin MP argued that plastic packaging could be counterproductive:
“Plastic packaging on fresh fruit and vegetables may contribute to food waste:
by offering a fixed packaged quantity, people may be induced to buy more than
they need, as the hon. Member for Henley mentioned. Also, the amount of waste
may be disguised. Rather than damaged food being thrown away by the
supermarket, the customer may well find damaged fruit or vegetables inside the
plastic packaging and then throw them away in the household. Also, I question
whether most fresh fruit and vegetables are given an enhanced shelf life by
being wrapped in plastic.”
The All-Party Parliamentary
and Horticulture Group (APPGHG) has called on the government to recognise the
value of horticulture and support the industry accordingly.
The message was delivered
at the APPGHG’s annual reception where it launched it launches its new
‘Securing the future of the gardening and horticulture sector’ report following
a nine month enquiry. Among the report’s recommendations are: review plant
health legislation develop plant health standards to mitigate against
biosecurity risks; incentivise plant production; match-fund R&D; improve
the quality of data about the industry; consider the impact of legislation on
ornamental horticulture; and work with the industry to promote it as a highly
skilled career.
Co-Chairmen of the APPGHG,
Baroness Fookes DBE and Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, said, “Once a Cinderella –
largely disregarded despite her many virtues – horticulture is now being
recognised for the heroine she is. However, if it is to fulfil its full
potential for good we need the Government to recognise that horticulture
affects not simply DEFRA but other Government Departments such as BEIS,
Education, Health and Social Care and International Trade. We urgently need a
unified approach or – to use that rather hackneyed phrase – joined-up
Government!”
Speaking at the reception,
Defra minister George Eustice commented, “The horticulture and landscaping
sector makes an important contribution to our economy and I would like to thank
the APPG for its report and recommendations. Our Agriculture Bill sets out to
reward the work undertaken to protect and improve the environment, including
where benefits are delivered by the horticulture industry. I encourage all
those with an interest to engage with the Bill as it goes through Parliament.”
Photo Caption: Alan
Titchmarsh, Baroness Fookes and George Eustice MP at the APPGHG reception
Defra has pledged to
maintain current levels of funding for recognised producer organisations (POs)
until the end of the current parliament following Brexit.
The announcement means that
the government will take over the £35 million of funding, which is currently
provided via the EU Fresh Fruit and Veg Scheme until 2022. The funding will
continue to be matched by growers in the 33 UK POs.
NFU Horticulture and
Potatoes Board chair Ali Capper said that she was delighted by the news, adding
it would provide “much needed clarity and certainty for the grower-members of
producer organisations which sell 50 per cent of all British fruit and veg.”
Photo Caption: There
are 33 producer organisations in the UK.
Barrow-in-Furness MP John Woodcock has written to Environment Secretary Michael Gove calling on him ‘to include in the forthcoming child obesity strategy a measure to subsidise fresh fruit and vegetables in corner shops and convenience stores.’
The move comes as recent figures from the National Child Measurement Programme revealed that hundreds of children in his constituency were not getting a healthy start in life, with around a third of four- and five-year olds in the region being classed as overweight.
In his letter, Mr Woodcock says, ““Deeply shocking statistics show that 30 percent of four and five-year-olds in Barrow are overweight. As you know, children who do not get a healthy start in life are more likely to struggle at school and suffer health problems throughout their lives. Reducing child obesity is essential if we are to reduce the blight of inequality and poor life choices in Britain.”
His letter was backed by Action for Children, which runs seven Sure Start Children’s Centres throughout the area, but the charity also warned other action was also required. Michelle Doherty, service manager for the Furness Sure Start Children’s Centres, said, “Subsidising fresh fruit and vegetables would be a positive move. We would support the call for that. But subsidising those foods would not solve the issue. It has to be coupled with helping to show families how to prepare a decent healthy meal and how they can make that appeal to children.”
English Apples & Pears (EAP), the association for UK top fruit producers, has said that the government must continue to support fruit growers after the UK leaves the EU.
In its submission to Defra’s Health and Harmony consultation, the group called for, ‘A more enabling and holistic regulatory framework for the approval of plant-protection products and to provide parity for UK growers with EU growers before we leave the EU.’ It also called for support for new varietal development, saying that this would help to ‘bolster plant health and pest and disease resistance.’
Overall EAP set out 12 points for action, including continued support for Producer Organisations, labour availability and health & sustainability. EAP chairman Ali Capper commented, “We are asking government to urgently support policy and campaigns that will increase the consumption of British-grown apples and pears. British orchards are capable of delivering public good – it’s good for the environment and the fruit produced is good for the nation’s health too. We’re ambitious to grow the size of the British crop. We know this is possible but we will need action in key areas in order to make this happen.”
Defra has received more than 44,000 responses to its consultation on farming, food and environmental policy after Brexit. 20,000 of these were received in the last week of the process.
The consultation, which closed on Tuesday 8 May attracted responses from farmers, NGOs and others in direct and indirect support for farmers, environmental protection and even the strategic importance of food to the UK. During the consultation process Defra also held 17 events across the country with stakeholders including the NFU, National trust and others.
The Agricultural Industries Confederation said the Government’s drive for environmental enhancements as part of its new farming policy must be coupled with an equal drive on agricultural production, underpinned by the enabling of new technologies and innovation.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said, “It’s great news that so many people have responded so enthusiastically to our consultation. Leaving the European Union gives us the opportunity to improve the support we give to Britain’s farmers. We can make farming more productive, improve the quality of the food we eat and enhance our natural environment. We’ll reflect on the many thoughtful ideas put forward in response to our consultation and bring forward our plans for legislation later this year.”
According to an advisor from Cardiff University who is advising the Welsh Government, Defra is consciously planning for around a quarter of the UK’s farms to ‘disappear’ after Brexit says a report in Farmers Guardian.
Dr Ludivine Petetin told a Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) meeting: “A lot of farms are currently profitable only because of direct payments coming from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). From reading the agriculture consultation, it seems to me, and this is going to sound harsh, Defra has made a choice that the 25 per cent of farms which are at the bottom and are not doing very well will perhaps disappear.”
She believes that Defra’s core focus is on how the ‘middle 50 per cent’ of farms can continue to be successful when funding moves from direct payments towards supporting environmental schemes. He added that being outside the EU would see farmers come under pressure as they would not benefit from existing EU tariffs on agricultural imports.
A Defra spokesman said, “Our proposals will see money redirected from direct payments based only on the amount of land farmed to a new system of rewarding farms of all sizes for their work to enhance the environment.”
