UK growers call for urgent government action on horticulture

British growers have issued a rallying call to the government demanding it puts “warm words into actions” and invest in the horticulture sector.

Major retailers including Aldi, Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and now Lidl are rationing fruit and vegetables as shelves continue to run bare across the country.

NFU president Minette Batters said the union had been warning the government for months about the dangers of undervaluing the domestic horticulture sector.

See also: Farming unions call for extension of energy support scheme

She added there were real risks empty shelves will become commonplace unless the government takes urgent action to address the unprecedented inflationary pressures faced by British horticulture businesses, especially soaring energy and labour costs.

The NFU launched its own strategy to deliver growth in UK horticulture on Wednesday 1 March, which it says will minimise future supply chain disruption, if it is backed by Rishi Sunak’s government.

The plan includes 10 key points which will be necessary for fruit and veg producers to grow and develop the industry.

Access to skilled labour, affordable and sustainable energy supplies, water, and fairness in the supply chain are among the key demands.

Launching the strategy, Mrs Batters said the UK horticultural sector wants to produce more of the fresh fruit, veg and salad loved by the nation.

But she added the government must deliver on the pledges it made for growth in the sector, which it highlighted in its Food Strategy last summer.

A Defra spokesperson said: “We agree that the domestic horticulture sector is crucial to the resilience of our food system as well as an important part of our wider economy. We know that farmers and growers are facing global pressures, including from the invasion of Ukraine.

“Our new farming schemes will support farmers to produce food profitably and sustainably, including £600m in grants for equipment to help farmers become more productive.

“This is part of the significant action we have taken to support the sector so far, alongside allocating 45,000 seasonal workers and wider government support on energy bills through the Energy Bills Relief Scheme.”