MP Terry Jermy has visited G’s Growers and written to the new Defra secretary of state to highlight concerns over upcoming loss of funding to English and Welsh POs in first political recognition since new government
Labour MP Terry Jermy has backed calls to reinstate funding to Producer Organisations (POs) after visiting growers set to lose out in his constituency.
Jermy, who is MP for South West Norfolk, visited Grange Farm to meet director of G’s Growers, Tim Young, who highlighted the uncertainty facing the sector when the EU’s Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme comes to an end later this year.
The devolved governments of Scotland and Northern Ireland have chosen to extend funding to POs, which is match funded by government up to around four per cent of turnover, and used primarily for investment into sustainability and innovation to drive efficiency.
“The government must produce a new scheme to support our British growers and support out British food security,” Jermy said, who has also written to new Defra secretary of state Angela Eagle to highlight the issue.
“After 14 years of Conservative mismanagement, Labour is securing jobs, strengthening supply chains, and protecting Britain’s food security. But this scheme is vital to the fruit and veg sector, and a re-think or a replacement must happen.
“Without a scheme such as FVAS, it risks fewer British vegetables on our shelves, greater reliance on imports, and the loss of skilled jobs. I am urging ministers to act now and put a proper replacement in place before it is too late.”
Young said: “Producer Organisations have delivered real results – improving efficiency, boosting investment, and helping Britain grow more of its own food. Ending support with nothing in its place threatens years of progress and leaves growers exposed to unfair EU competition. Without urgent action, we face a damaging increase in imports and weakened food security.”
The news marks the first political interest in the issue of PO funding, which has been causing widespread concern across the fresh produce industry for the past year.
A steering group recently formalised into the UK Fruit and Vegetable Association (UKFVA) to provide a more coordinated response, and speaking to FPJ earlier this year, spokeperson and MD of Berry Gardens, Patrick Bastow, said: “No one has heard of POs and no one wants to put up a fight for them.”
He added: “This is not just a farming issue – it is about the nation’s food supply. Producer Organisations are efficient, collaborative, and proven to work. We urge the government to rethink its position.”