Navigating through the big freeze this week, with the inevitable traffic chaos on the A1, I caught the latest food debate on the radio and, not surprisingly, our industry came under fire for providing the nation with a healthy, affordable, diverse range of fresh produce.

Aside from the same predictable dialogue we hear year on year, promoting seasonal and regional, criticising the big supermarkets and imports, insisting consumers should make healthier choices and the inevitable grow-your-own suggestions, the government is looking to legislate on the more serious issue of food sustainability.

Common sense dictates that measures must be put in place for future food security and the FPC will continue throughout 2010 to lobby and influence decision-makers to maintain an equilibrium and ensure the facts are tabled amid the myriad of agendas. The importance of promoting healthy eating and increased consumption of fresh produce is a given, but the detail of where that fresh produce is sourced from will be an even greater issue this year and we will continue to challenge disparities in the ongoing debate. Remember that 25 countries supply the UK with 90 per cent of its fresh produce!

Our interaction within the food miles debate has gained momentum and it is greatly rewarding to note that Oxfam and international consumer organisations now acknowledge that the concept is confusing and climate labelling is impractical. Recommendations from these organisations, that consumers forget food miles in favour of consuming additional fresh produce, are greatly encouraging and we look forward to the final dismantling of the food miles myth. Our industry carbon footprint compares favourably to other food sectors and that includes imported produce.

The culmination of many years of active involvement in the development and implementation of the Automatic Licensing Verification has resulted in clear advantages to produce and cut flower sectors, delivering an annual saving upwards of £1 million. Remember to ensure your business is prepared for the ‘go live’ date on February 16.

Don’t forget our annual dinner at the end of this month. We have organised a spectacular evening at a highly competitive rate and we look forward to welcoming you to the Park Lane Hotel to an evening of the finest Mexican flavours, sights and sounds. We are delighted that His Excellency Eduardo Medina-Mora, Mexican Ambassador to the UK, and minister Jorge Rueda Sousa from the Mexican ministry of agriculture will attend as our guests of honour. If you haven’t already booked a table, there is still time. Contact angie@freshproduce.org.uk and she will be delighted to help.

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