British fruit and vegetable growers have called on health secretary Wes Streeting to put homegrown produce at the heart of the country’s health transformation.
In a letter to the secretary of state, grower representatives have warned that with vital funding for English fruit and vegetable production due to expire this year with no replacement in place, growers risk being left behind.
In April, the government confirmed the Fruit & Veg Aid Scheme would end in December 2025. Meanwhile, growers in EU, Scotland and Wales will continue to receive support.
This comes as the government has announced the launch of its 10-year Health Plan for England, however growers have said the government’s health ambitions cannot be met without a strong horticulture sector.
“To truly ‘make the healthy choice the easy choice’ as the government has pledged, and which is also a core part of the government’s food strategy, the UK must ensure a reliable, affordable, and healthy supply of fresh produce,” said NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmett. “That means backing domestic growers.
“Right now, just 17% of the fruit and 53% of the vegetables we eat are grown in the UK. That’s a huge missed opportunity,” he added.
The sector has faced continued economic shocks, planning barriers and extreme weather events, and needs long-term investment, the NFU said.
“We urge the health secretary to work closely with Defra and industry leaders to unlock the potential of British horticulture and help deliver on the government’s vision for a healthier England,” said Emmett.
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