Crisis is feared unless extra people can take up seasonal fruit and veg work

The NFU has welcomed a report which says planners should be made to be more sympathetic to polytunnels and the benefits system should make it easier for the British unemployed to take temporary harvesting work.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Sep 2010, 16:08 BST
Updated 3rd Sep 2010, 16:08 BST

Defra's Fruit and Vegetable Task Force was set up by the last government, to explore how to get the British to eat more healthily and how to improve the home-grown contribution to their choice of fruit and veg. Its report says the industry needs help because "fruit and vegetable growing has become a high-risk, low-reward industry".

It notes: "Due to lack of demand by students, the majority of land-based colleges no longer deliver any qualifications to the commercial fruit and vegetable production sector."

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It says there is a risk of shortages of the migrant labour which has kept the industry going and more permits for Chinese, Indian and Russian workers might be needed.

It adds: "The task force also believes more must be done to encourage British citizens to undertake seasonal work.

"This could include adapting the welfare system to encourage those in receipt of benefits to respond to growers' need for short-term labour without undue disincentives."

The report also draws attention to the difficulties of planning permission for glasshouses, polytunnels, reservoirs, worker housing and processing plant.

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It says: "Consultants' fees for even small growers can be over 100,000."

The report calls for planning guidance to include reference to the importance of food production and for an easier application process for farm developments.

Farming minister James Paice said: "Defra will discuss with the relevant departments the Task Force's proposals."

NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Sarah Pettitt said: "The task force has achieved a significant amount. The key is to now

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maintain momentum and move forward with the implementation of the proposals as soon as possible.

"Horticulture offers significant job opportunities for local workers, so the NFU would welcome any actions that encourage more of them to undertake seasonal work in the industry."

The report is at www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/policy/ partnership/fvtf/

index.htm/

CW 4/9/10

Related topics:DEFRAHorticulture