The future commercial success of the cherry growing industry in the UK has been given a boost after a three-way agreement that will see the continuation of a cherry breeding programme at East Malling Research (EMR).
As a result of the agreement between marketing organisation Univeg Katope UK Ltd (Univeg), and The Associated International Group of Nurseries (AIGN) with EMR, scientists will undertake a conventional breeding programme, designed to develop new varieties of sweet cherries.
The team will be led by Felicidad Fernández Fernández, a plant breeder and molecular geneticist at EMR. The work will continue the historical cherry breeding programme at EMR and develop cultivars which will be trialled and evaluated worldwide, with the aim of producing new commercial varieties.
Richard Isaacs of Univeg, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have signed this agreement with EMR and AIGN. By bringing together three leaders in their respective fields, we can combine a wide range of skills and experience to really drive the breeding programme forward over the next few years."
"Whilst we are very realistic about the timescales involved in breeding cherries, the program at East Malling already has some promising material and we do ultimately hope to be offering some outstanding new varieties to the growers working with us in the UK and around the world. This is a long term commitment that Univeg is making to the cherry sector and we look forward to working closely with EMR and AIGN during the years ahead."
Mike Solomon, CEO of EMR, said: "This agreement will see all of us play to our collective strengths through our breeding, AIGN’s extensive network of nurseries around the world, and Univeg’s knowledge of the marketplace."
Gavin Porter, CEO of AIGN, said: "AIGN® is very excited to be a part of this new development. With the long history of expertise in Horticulture that EMR brings to the table and the tremendous coverage and marketing knowledge that Univeg contributes, we are certain that there will be many valuable outputs that will be realized from this project."
