Fruit Focus:
UK: Lively debates and latest developments prove a strong draw
Over 1200 visitors attended the event, which took place at East Malling Research on 25th July, drawn by its trademark mix of top-level debates, the latest cropping advice and technology, novel machinery and topical marketing advice.
The NFU/Syngenta Bioline-sponsored Fruit Forums proved popular. The session Securing a Successful UK Horticulture Industry created some lively discussion among the packed audience, with the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) proving particularly contentious.
NFU president Peter Kendall kicked off proceedings with a desire to see UK horticultural growers produce more of the food consumed in this country.
An injection of confidence in the supply chain was needed, with retailers replacing short term profit-taking with a long term approach that would allow producers to plan and invest, as outlined in the recently released NFU Catalyst for Change report.
“We don’t want to wind our balance sheets down to ensure supermarkets get a great deal,” said Mr Kendall.
A succession to SAWS to ensure continued availability of labour was also key. “We would not harvest a fraction of our fruit and vegetables without having a SAWS scheme in place.”
NFU horticulture board member Anthony Snell said every major country used seasonal migrant labour to pick crops. “These workers are well motivated, pay tax and national insurance and they go home – there should be no debate.”
Mr Paice reminded him that workers from EU countries like Romania and Bulgaria could still come here after SAWS expired, a point the Home Office was likely to push.
Potential effects of CAP reform on the horticulture sector were also aired, notably the serious consequences that controversial greening measures proposed by the European Commission could bring.
NFU senior CAP adviser Gail Soutar said the measures themselves, which included farmers over 3ha having to grow a minimum of three crops, putting 7% of arable and permanent crop land into ecological focus areas and having to maintain areas of permanent pasture at 2014 levels, could reduce fruit gross margins by at least £38-44/ha.
The Council Of Ministers’ suggestion that farmers in ELS would not have to carry out such greening measures was to be welcomed. But reform measures remained a long way from the simple and market-orientated CAP the NFU desired, she said. “It is certainly on a different track at the moment.”
Visitors then heard about optimising water and fertiliser inputs. Most soft fruit produced commercially in the UK is now grown under cover, so irrigation is essential to ensure that quality matches the specifications demanded by retailers and consumers, said Dr Mark Else of East Malling Research.
However, there were few scientifically derived guidelines for growers on how best to schedule irrigation, he added. “Over-irrigation for insurance could lead to excessive vegetative growth, disease pressure, and fruit with reduced shelf-life and flavour.”
In its annual Fruit Focus market report, growers’ co-operative Berry Gardens said the weather had created a very challenging season. Managing director Nicholas Marston said it was the most volatile he could recall.
“An abundance of berries in recent weeks coupled with low consumer demand caused by the worst summer weather on record has resulted in a substantial deflation on selling prices and net returns.”
To help move higher volumes Berry Gardens had exported more. “We have identified several opportunities for the future which we are developing,” said Mr Marston.
On the technical front, a new top fruit working demonstration highlighted the need to use low-drift nozzles for applications of chlorpyrifos, which had stewardship restrictions imposed for the first time during 2012.
It was organised by the pesticide stewardship group ‘Chlorpyrifos: Say no to Drift’. Spokeswoman Lindsay Fogg said the technique represented a huge change in practice, with low-drift nozzles rarely used before 2012.
Other demonstrations included Claas’s Cam Pilot row-following steering system and Platipus’s new anchoring systems and end post kits.
Key technical developments included new bio-pesticides, novel fertilisers and substrates, improved agronomy services as well as improved varieties from a range of leading names. Novel films and automatic temperature monitors plus the latest support systems and tunnels also featured.
The merits of biological control agents were highlighted in the launch of a new HDC growers’ guide, Biocontrol in soft fruit. It details key beneficials and targets and includes tips to help growers improve control, said HDC Knowledge Transfer manager Scott Raffle.
A concept cherry orchard was also on show, comparing several varieties at different planting distances using different pruning and training techniques. The orchard also featured a covering system new to the UK.
Fruit Focus 2012 further underlined the event’s reputation as the leading technical and business event for fruit growers across the UK, said event director Jon Day of Haymarket Exhibitions.
“Keeping abreast of the latest developments is key to maximising quality, yield and income. Our 116 exhibitors ensured there was enough information to keep even the most demanding visitor satisfied.”
Chris Mack, chairman of Mack, principal sponsor of Fruit Focus for the second year running, said the 2012 event had been another great success. “There has been a marked increase in demand for British fruit and the industry is responding by embracing innovation such as we see at Fruit Focus. We are proud to be associated with the event and look forward to returning as principal sponsor next year,” he added.
For more information:
Robert Harris
Fruit Focus PR
Tel: +44 (0)1424 883383
Mob: +44 (0)7768 402850
[email protected]