The soft-fruit sector found itself under attack last night from BBC2’s The Money Programme, with major growers branded as “berry barons”.
The programme, questioned what programme-makers suggested are the hidden costs involved in extending the UK strawberry season.
It suggested the industry was dragging its heels when it came to the phase out of chemicals such as soil sterilant methyl bromide and was not using alternative products.
Celebrity gardener Monty Don was also given the chance to attack the industry again, describing polytunnels as “sort of raping the landscape - it is pure vandalism”.
This follows on from Don’s smear campaign against the industry in which he used his Daily Mail column to make accusations over the misuse of pesticides, which he later retracted.
The programme also highlighted the use of migrant labour, suggesting the industry was “courting controversy” and queried the rates of pay paid to workers.
Graham Neal, md of S&A Produce, who was highlighted in the programme, hit back at the arguments: “There are some people out there who we can never convince or change. But you can’t change the fact that consumers like strawberries.”
He said the industry has been forced to modernise and use polytunnels to compete in the market and things were only likely to get tougher: “I believe that competition is only likely to increase, particularly with the opening up of the EU. Those new members have a wealth of land and low cost labour.
“There’s nothing wrong with what we do, we offer consumers strawberries in an extended season. We are not killing anybody or causing damage.
“One of the arguments was that having strawberries outside of the traditional six-week season takes away the enjoyment. I don’t believe that. Having a beer everyday of the week doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy one on Friday night.”
