Talks in Guernsey between horticultural representatives and the government department of Commerce and Employment have now been concluded.

The Guernsey Growers’ Association has responded to the States Department, which will take final proposals to the Guernsey Government later this year.

Commerce and Employment has been told that existing laboratories are essential to the industry, the Advisory Support Service being most important. Under this scheme it is possible for growers to be supplied with an adviser on application.

There is a vital need to be able to engage and house workers from outside the island.

The GGA maintains that there should be no increase, and ideally a decrease in property rates to bring them into line with the rental value of other business premises.

The market support scheme, initiated to assist growers in marketing in the UK or elsewhere, is decreasingly valuable due to the slimmed down industry.

It is also considered that the interest subsidy scheme has less value at present for the industry. This scheme assisted growers wishing to develop their properties, but currently there is not a great deal of call for such.

David Miller, president of the GGA, said: “One influence on the industry will be the conclusion of the present Review of the industry support scheme now being carried out.”

He added that the decisions which are being made this year as to what to do in 2007 will rest substantially on the success, or otherwise, of the past, and in particular, of this season.

Cold weather and a late Spring have had an adverse affect on growers. Also fuel heating prices have been twice those of the same period last year. Growers are openly admitting that this has been a difficult growing season.

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