As we kick off the new year with all the challenges that lie ahead in the coming months, I would like to thank you for your support in 2008. In particular, I would like to thank you for supporting our initiative to fight EU proposals to remove crop protection products by lobbying MEPs. There can be no compromise on the ability of UK and EU horticulture to supply good-quality, affordable produce in a safe, sustainable environment. With your help, we have issued a bombardment of emails, letters and telephone calls reinforcing the need for an impact assessment.

I note with interest the Soil Association board’s decision with regard to the airfreight consultation; it is a shame it has taken 18 months for common sense to prevail, with significant heartache and concern to the African farming communities they say they wish to support. It appears the Soil Association has now accepted the need for accurate information before making ad hoc and ill-informed decisions which, without question, would have had serious negative implications for farming in Africa. A year ago, we said “the Soil Association is getting ahead of itself in its efforts to achieve laudable objectives by making policy decisions in the absence of real data”. We will continue to monitor this situation in 2009 to ensure the organisation’s proposals do not promote unnecessary additional bureaucracy and cost to a supply chain already under significant strain.

Today is your last opportunity to buy tickets for the FPC Annual Dinner on January 31 at the Hilton Park Lane, with Kenya’s deputy prime minister for trade, the Honourable Uhuru Kenyatta attending as our guest of honour, accompanied by the High Commissioner, His Excellency Joseph Muchemi. In light of the economic downturn, we have kept the ticket prices as low as possible without reducing the quality and style of this opulent evening. An excellent menu with the flavour and colour of Kenya has been designed by the head chef at the Intercontinental, we have a troupe of 10 Massai Warrior acrobats producing a spectacular cabaret and the Dark Blues band is back by popular request. This is a superb opportunity to network with the industry and enjoy a night out at subsidised cost. It really is not to be missed. See our website for details or contact angie@freshproduce.org.uk and I look forward to seeing you there.