NFU horticulture board vice chairman, Richard Hirst, told last week’s UK Vegetable Industry Conference and Exhibition that the challenges the industry faces give it the opportunity to demonstrate its sustainability.

Hirst spoke on cross compliance, farm waste regulations and how the implementation of EU directives and regulations might lead to new opportunities for the vegetable industry.

He told delegates: "Horticulture is being confronted by a lot of change and there are some big issues we are all going to have to face up to. But most of the challenges we are facing actually give us the opportunity to demonstrate how sustainable our industry is.

"We have to accept that society is demanding more in terms of environmental stewardship. And while cross compliance and new waste regulations may seem daunting, in many respects we in horticulture are already ahead of the game. The challenge for the NFU is to make sure regulation is practically applied and that government works in partnership with the industry to ensure we can best meet the outcomes asked of us.

"What is vital is that our industry is able to strike a balance between environmental stewardship and food security. The NFU will continue to work with government to achieve that,” he said.

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