The Fruit and Vegetables Task Force has demanded widespread change from government and industry to attain huge increases in self-sufficiency.
As part of its action plan, agreed last week, the task force which is advising DEFRA concluded its work by calling for an increase in home-grown vegetable production to 73 per cent from 60 per cent at present.
The production sub-group hopes to increase indigenous fruit self-sufficiency to grow from 38 per cent in 2008 to 50 per cent now. It suggested a number of measures including streamlining planning for growers, addressing seasonal labour and creating an industry strategy for research and development to be worked on by a number of bodies including DEFRA, the NFU and the Horticultural Development Company.
Fresh Produce Consortium ceo Nigel Jenney told freshinfo his main concern was to drive demand. He said: “What we need is a clarification of the market potential for British produce. I am worried that if we do not increase the market then we will just create a price war at retail level between UK produce and produce from around the world. Our current pathetic level of 2.5 portions of fruit and veg a day is not good enough and will not drive demand.”
Jenney also called for greater recognition of the wholesale and foodservice sectors from DEFRA and said there were opportunities to improve relations between wholesalers and UK growers.
Elsewhere the action plan aimed to “refocus the 5 A DAY campaign”, promote potatoes through Change4Life and reduce waste in the supply chain.
