British Apples and Pears welcomes the intent of the UK government’s National Food Strategy to support “healthier, home-grown diets for all”. Our own ambition directly supports the government intent; we are working towards achieving 60% market share for British apples and pears by 2030.
Britain’s unique maritime climate, ideal growing conditions, and efficient storage solutions mean the British apple and pear industry can supply delicious and nutritious home-grown fruit 12 months of the year.
However, British apple and pear growers can only meet that challenge if two key issues are addressed: access to labour and rising energy costs. These issues will hinder growers’ ability to produce the British apples we know consumers want, and now the government too, has said we need.
In terms of labour, while the government has just announced the release of the promised additional 10,000 Seasonal Workers Scheme visas for workers, 2,000 of these visas are being extended to the poultry industry which will leave British apple and pear growers short.
Ali Capper, Executive Chair of BAPL, comments: “The British apple and pear harvest from August to November is in jeopardy. We are urging the government to make further provision for additional seasonal workers that we need to pick our 2022 crop. More than that, we need the government to recognise that while automation is on its way, we are up to a decade away from replacing people on our farms and therefore we need a sensible and substantial medium-term labour solution.”
In terms of rising energy costs, British Apples and Pears is asking the UK government to take urgent action to cap energy costs. Farmers are facing energy costs that have doubled or even tripled in the last year.
Ali Capper explains: “Our growers are fully committed to growing high-quality British fruit for British consumers, but we face challenges that risk the viability of farms. We need long-term policy strategies from government that support British growers and address these two pressing issues of energy costs and access to labour. We know how to produce the best home-grown food that is healthy and popular with consumers. We now need government to enable us to do what we do best.”