8:10am Tuesday 31st August 2010
Proposals to encourage more growing and eating of British fruit and vegetables should move forward as soon as possible, says the NFU.
The NFU has welcomed the publication of a report by the industry-led Fruit and Vegetable Task Force, to which it has been a key contributor.
It has identified four areas in which it hopes to get people growing and eating more British fruit and vegetables; making produce more available and more convenient; providing value for money; maintaining a high standard of quality and taste and building up a competitive supply base and an efficient supply chain.
NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Sarah Pettitt said: “The task force has achieved a significant amount in the last 10 months and this is embodied in the report. The key is to now maintain momentum and move forward with the implementation of the proposals as soon as possible.”
The report contains 21 proposals for action. One example the NFU wants to see implemented as soon as possible is to reduce planning burdens by referencing food production in national planning policy and streamlining the planning process. This would improve the planning situation for modern farming needs such as polytunnels, winter storage reservoirs and worker accommodation.
A further requirement is for the Government to confirm the measures it would take to achieve its policy of increasing the proportion of domestically-produced quality fruit and vegetables procured by government departments and the public sector generally.
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