Horticulture looks to a promising 2012
The NFU’s horticulture and potatoes board has set out its lobbying priorities for the year ahead – and is setting its sights set on a successful 2012.
Top priorities on the NFU’s lobbying agenda for the fresh produce sector include: building stronger supply chain relationships and progressing the establishment of a supply chain adjudicator; better administration and management of the Producer Organisation scheme; securing a successor to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) post 2013; ensuring Defra’s Sustainable Growing Media Task Force acknowledges the need for responsibly-sourced inputs, including peat, to be used in UK horticultural businesses; and a conclusion to the Agricultural Wages Board debate.
NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Sarah Dawson said: "There is a lot of work to do, but I’m confident that the board – which is made up of specialists from all sectors of horticulture and potatoes – will be able to make significant progress on these important issues for our members during 2012. Following a disappointing financial performance for many growers last year, we want to create the right environment for our members to run profitable businesses – be that through reducing and tackling regulatory challenges, or encouraging more responsible supply chain behaviour.
"If we want to turn around our declining self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetable production and continue to provide consumers with the high quality, home grown fruit and vegetables that they demand it’s vital that growers are given the right signals to encourage them to invest for the future."
As part of its action plan to deliver against its priorities the board has scheduled a visit to Brussels in the spring to meet with several European Commission officials responsible for crop protection, the Fruit and Vegetable Aid regime, Producer Organisation audits and CAP reform. An exclusive preview of the NFU’s report into supply chain behaviour and relationships in the fresh produce sector will also be unveiled at the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes AGM breakout session on February 21.
