Buy British fruit and veg to boost economy, says minister

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson says British shoppers should be more patriotic when it comes to buying food.

British is best

In a speech this week to the Oxford Farming Conference, Mr Paterson (pictured here) highlighted the fact that 24% of food eaten in the UK is imported, despite “top-class” produce being farmed on home soil. He confirmed that the Government is behind plans to support British farmers.

"We have a top-class fruit and veg sector which produces everything from green beans to strawberries, yet we imported £8 billion of fruit and veg in 2012,” he said.

"We can't grow mangoes or pineapples, but we can encourage UK consumers and food businesses to buy Scottish raspberries or Kent apples.

"By buying seasonal fruit and veg we can improve the nation's health, help the environment and boost the economy," he added.

Waning supplies

But in 2013, the National Farmers Union predicted that most fruit and vegetables may have to be imported from abroad if there is no vast improvement in the harvest following 2012’s wet summer and years of declining production. Government figures last year reportedly showed a three-decade decrease in the volume of almost every major variety of fruit and vegetable grown in the UK.

As well as fruit and veg, Mr Paterson said that changes to livestock movement rules could save farmers and taxpayers £70m over 10 years. And the corresponding reduction in bureaucracy will be welcomed by farmers, and free up more time to combat diseases such as bovine TB.

Do you make an effort to buy British fruit and veg? Or don’t you have time to check the label? Share your views in the Comments box below.

Owen Paterson image courtesy of DEFRA

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