The National Farmers’ Union’s Horticulture Board chair Sarah Pettitt congratulated UK growers at the ADAS/Syngenta Vegetable Industry Conference at the East of England Showground last Wednesday, after they honoured their contracts during the toughest January in 30 years.
But she warned there was more to overcome than the weather in the future.
Pettitt said: “The freezing conditions in January were the toughest our business has seen in 30 years and yet deal with it growers did - we know only too well that we have to. But like all challenges, we will be respected and come back better than we were before.
“Come May, we will know which government will lead this country this decade. Whichever that is, the industry should have a to-do list [for it]…
“There is a new government policy on food - produce more, impact less; we are all agreed on that. But we wanted to hear that we are needed. I know we are needed. The [DEFRA Fruit & Vegetable] Task Force is a call to industry from government to increase production of fruit and vegetables - this is a huge milestone. But we must realise there are still hurdles...
“First, we need the right returns to increase production. Second, we need a commitment from our customers.”
No comments yet