The government could move to push the employment of British workers in UK horticultural jobs if the proposals of the Fruit and Vegetable Task Force are adopted.
The group of produce experts - which included representatives of the Foods Standards Agency, Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), Compass, Morrisons, Bakkavor and Tesco among its expansive roster - submitted its wide-ranging report to government this week with a series of hard hitting recommendations which cover the whole produce supply chain.
In the report, the expressed concern that “an improvement in the UK economy could once again lead to shortages of seasonal labour for hoticulture and suggested that the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme revert to its original format sourcing labour from throughout the EU from 2012. It also lobbied government to adapt the welfare system to encourage those in receipt of benefits to respond to growers’ need for short term labour as a step towards leaving the benefits system.
Among its plethora of proposals were a plan for growers to work with bodies like Business Link which look to drive the UK economy forward, a suggestion that the levy boards should play a role in providing independent advice on the market and growing conditions and a call for DEFRA and the Rural Payments Agency to issue clearer practical rules on the the EU Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme.
FPC ceo Nigel Jenney said: “The recommendations reflect the diversity and expectations of a very broad group. We welcome the government’s commitment... We will be monitoring closely progress as individual departments consider these recommendations.
On the healthy eating recommendations in the report, Jenney said: “It is vital that both the industry and government play their part in encouraging people of all ages to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, which is the central objective of the task force. If we fail to do this future generations will suffer the effects of poor diet and obesity and there will be no increased market for UK production. Industry campaigns such as Eat In Colour demonstrate that fresh produce can be fun, easy to prepare and convenient. Fresh fruit and vegetables will always be the vital keystone for a healthy diet and we believe that the government should continue to focus on fresh produce as the ultimate convenience food.”
FPC welcomed the task force’s recommendation that 5 A DAY should further promote potatoes as a healthy and vitamin rich carbohydrate.
FPC also identified to the task force the significant potential of the wholesale/foodservice sector which accounts for a third of overall sales of fresh produce in the UK. FPC will be working with the National Association of British Market Authorities to provide guidance on how to maximise opportunities as part of the task force’s recommendations.
Another recommendation of the task force is to evaluate the Food Dudes programme.
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