Defra minister Jim Paice has pledged to support the supermarket adjudicator bill and home-grown produce during a visit from a West Midlands growers to the House of Commons this week.
The 50-strong group also included representatives from the National Farmers Union and Whychavon Council as well as from Worcester University. They met with MPs from the region and talked to DEFRA secretary of state Caroline Spelman about the importance of their produce, which is worth more than £600 million annually.
Paice, told the audience that for too long the food and farming industry was let down by previous governments, however, it was now recognised that farming was important to help re-balance the economy and there was a need to increase domestic production. He said: “Growers can really deliver and be part of Britain’s recovery through economic growth. We can claw back a lot of the fresh market sector that has been lost to competitors.”
He also told the Midlanders that he has “had assurances” that the seasonal agricultural workers scheme will continue for an extra two years.
He added: “We will also have to look at the provision of labour for your important production industry and others that depend on that type of labour.”
And he told the group that he backed a ombudsman for the sector. “As for the groceries adjudicator it’s not my job, it falls with the department of business but as you know there is absolute commitment from government and we will be introducing one as soon as possible,” said Paice.
The European Food and Farming Partnership, EFFP, worked with an industry steering group including the NFU to produce the ‘Getting to the heart of horticulture’ report which was presented at the event. Guests were also treated to a taste of the West Midlands with a variety of regional produce on offer, from cider to strawberries.
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