Fruit Focus to host hot debate

A series of highly topical debates at this year’s Fruit Focus will prove a strong draw for visitors keen to hear about the latest political, technical and business matters impacting on their bottom line.

NFU and Syngenta Bioline are sponsoring the Fruit Forums, where polytunnels, productivity and pesticides come under the spotlight.

Vines to Wines, partnered by marketing association English Wine Producers and the United Kingdom Vineyards Association, examines wine quality, a new vineyard with a difference and finishes with Vineyard Question Time.

Fruit Focus 2011 takes place at East Malling Research, Kent on 20 July.

NFU planning adviser Ivan Moss will explain how the NFU is lobbying for joined-up policy for planning and food security across government departments. “Growers want to know what the common planning problems are when it comes to polytunnels, and will be interested to hear about the implications of the localism bill for planning generally," he adds.

And the union’s president Peter Kendall will be joined by a leading grower and a DEFRA representative to debate key issues, including the work of the fruit and vegetable task force and the regulation task force as they apply to horticulture and soft fruit.

NFU chief horticulture adviser Hayley Campbell-Gibbons said of the fruit and vegetables task force’s produced proposals: "To see this work progressing so rapidly is really exciting and a true indication that government increasingly regards productive agriculture and horticulture as a priority.”

James Clarke, science and business development manager for ADAS Soils, Crops and Water, will update delegates on the introduction of these changes and highlight areas of priority for growers, advisers and future action.

“The introduction of the Sustainable Use Directive will provide an EU-wide framework for training, certification, sprayer testing and promotion of Integrated Pest (Crop) Management. This will result from a balance of regulatory approaches and increased need for voluntary measures that aim to further protect users, wildlife, water and neighbours,” said Clarke.

International winemaker and wine production consultant David Cowderoy will focus on winery techniques, challenging wine producers to keep innovating.