NFU President Ben Gill will make a fact-finding tour of one of the top horticultural research facilities in the country this week.

He will meet Horticulture Research International's chief executive Michael Wilson and leading scientists at the research body's Warwickshire centre on March 15.

Gill will hear about key research projects being undertaken by HRI, including investigations into Mushroom Virus X, work to extend the shelf-life of broccoli and ways to protect bee colonies from the varroa mite.

The NFU says research and development is the lifeblood of the UK horticulture industry and has given a commitment to fight further cuts in funding for horticultural R&D being threatened by government.

At Horticulture in Focus on February 28, Gill launched the NFU's Keep British Horticulture Growing campaign to raise awareness of the issue, which is being supported by HRI.

Ben Gill said: 'Only by continuing to fund our successful research and development programme can British horticulture hope to meet the constant challenges of changing consumer tastes.' While growers give nearly £4m in levies to the annual research budget, the government has cut its contribution by £2m over the last five years. More cuts are threatened in the government's spending eview, expected in July.

The visit by Gill will coincide with an open day at HRI's unit in Wellesbourne for local primary schools, as part of National Science Week. More than 400 children are expected to attend.

Gill said: 'I think this will provide a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to find out about the hugely important behind-the-scenes work that goes into the production of today's fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. The supermarket shelf is all too often seen as the provider of produce, not the grower.

'I hope this will help children to develop an interest in their food and in the science behind it.'