English Apples & Pears (EAP) received a request from Number 10 Downing Street for five different English apple varieties for a Cabinet meeting last week, coinciding with the first day of the National Fruit Show.
Adrian Barlow, chief executive of EAP, told freshinfo: “EAP has worked closely with Dame Suzi Leather, chair of the Council of Food Policy Advisors for DEFRA, and the government has realised that we need to increase horticultural production. Food security is going to be a key issue in the future, with the rising population, climate change and water issues.”
DEFRA secretary of state Hilary Benn recently attended a meeting at East Malling Research and has since demonstrated a clear understanding of the situation, said Barlow.
“Ordering English apples is a very important sign from the government, but a transformation is not going to happen overnight.
He continued: “English apple production can supply 35 per cent of the total consumption in the UK during the season. It is never going to be 100 per cent because of the likes of Golden Delicious and Pink Lady on the market, and demand for those varieties is not going to be removed. But basically, with the right help, the English apple industry has the potential to double capacity.
“There are a lot of encouraging stories out there,” added Barlow. “But demand from consumers for more English product and the government’s attention on food security only translates into increased volumes if retailers, the foodservice industry and manufacturers all return money to growers that secure future investment in the industry.”
Benn has since written to Barlow, saying he “thoroughly enjoyed” the apples and sent his “heartfelt thanks”. His favourite apple, said Barlow, was the Egremont Russet.
No comments yet