UK horticulture looks jealously at Spanish investment

Farmers in Spain will dramatically reduce pesticide residues on their fruit and vegetable produce with the help of a huge government investment.

A £226 million investment package will encourage 20,000 farmers in Andalucía to introduce natural predators to control pests, rather than use conventional pesticides.

As a result, the supply of 'clean' Spanish produce to UK supermarket shelves is expected to boom, as the UK horticulture industry looks jealously at the outlay afforded to its Spanish counterparts.

"We are 100 per cent committed to producing quality fresh fruit and vegetables while respecting the environment…we are pleased to be able to offer support and inject vital funds," said Isaías Pérez Saldaña of the Andalusian regional government.

The investment has helped to finance the launch of Hortyfruta, the non-profit organisation charged with coordinating the reduction of pesticide use in the region.

María José Pardo, general manager of Hortyfruta, said: "The launch of Hortyfruta will bring about a step change in the drive to introduce clean farming as the standard in Andalucía. As one of the world's largest agricultural producers we regard it as our responsibility to champion best practice."

NFU chief horticulture advisor Philip Hudson said that while the UK did already practice similar farming methods, it could not adopt such an extensive scheme due to a huge vacuum of funds.