By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:39, Friday, 05 February 2010

ANY new Government must maintain and develop the existing UK produce industry, rather than lose it and recreate it at a later date.

This is the opinion of NFU horticulture board chairman Sarah Pettitt, who said that the sector would thrive this way. She told the ADAS/Syngenta UK vegetable industry conference and exhibition what she thought should be at the top of the ‘to do list’ for whichever party wins this year’s General Election.

“We have a fresh produce industry to be proud of in this country producing fruit and vegetables that are second to none in terms of taste, quality and value for money.

“We need to ensure measures are put in place to help it compete and thrive.”

Among the measures identified was the need for a continued focus on research and development and, in particular, access to expertise and facilities that provide growers with the research they need to allow them to remain at the forefront of world production.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk