British fruit and vegetable growers have issued a stark warning to the government, urging immediate action as vital funding under the extended Fruit and Veg Aid scheme is set to expire this December without a replacement in place. In a joint letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, representatives from leading producer organisations highlighted the risk to domestic production, particularly in England, which stands to lose out while growers in the EU, Scotland, and Wales continue receiving support.
The previous UK government had pledged to develop an expanded replacement scheme, but that commitment has yet to be upheld by the current administration. Growers argue that long-term certainty is essential for horticulture businesses to invest and plan ahead.
NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair Martin Emmett, a lead signatory of the letter, stressed the sector's readiness to increase production and contribute to public health goals: "We're ready to grow more, produce more, and help turn the tide on diet-related illness. But we need government backing to do it."
The appeal comes amid the government's "Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan," which aims to raise the healthiest generation of children and tackle obesity. Yet, Emmett warned that without a strong domestic horticulture sector, these ambitions will be difficult to achieve. Recent studies revealing that one in ten children doesn't know where carrots come from underscore the growing disconnect between young people and their food.
Despite the UK's high standards in food production, only 17% of the fruit and 53% of the vegetables consumed are homegrown. In 2023 alone, the UK lost 26% of its fruit orchards and significant vegetable-growing land, equivalent to 141,000 football pitches. Ongoing economic shocks, planning barriers, supply chain uncertainty, and extreme weather have further undermined grower confidence.
The soon-to-expire funding scheme, originally part of the EU framework, enabled Producer Organisations to invest in productivity, resilience, supply chain fairness, and marketing. Its absence leaves English growers at a competitive disadvantage. The NFU and other trade bodies have long advocated for similar match-funded support for all horticulture businesses.
The letter, also signed by heads of organisations representing British growers of apples, berries, carrots, onions, tomatoes, brassicas, asparagus, and potatoes, calls on the Health Secretary to work closely with Defra and industry leaders to safeguard the future of British horticulture. Emmett concluded, "To truly make the healthy choice the easy choice, as the government has pledged, the UK must ensure a reliable, affordable, and healthy supply of fresh produce. That means backing domestic growers."
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