Soft Fruits Industry is vital to local economy-Keetch

9.00.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd Jul 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP, Paul Keetch recently met with representatives from the British Summer Fruits Association (BSFA), including chairman Laurence Olins, to sample new varieties of the popular British strawberries and raspberries.

A decade ago the British strawberry market was unreliable with extreme weather and disease destroying the crop, but by 2005 it had increased in value to £157million. This growth has brought many benefits to Herefordshire, where the industry makes up an important part of the local economy.

Speaking on the issue, Mr Keetch said: The introduction of polytunnels has allowed the soft fruits industry to blossom in Herefordshire. Polytunnels have extended the growing period from two to six months, and increased the general quality of fruit produced. However, their 'semi permanent' use blights the landscape and we need to have a balance between the damaging visual affects and their positive growing affects.

"I recognise the importance of polytunnels for the local economy, yet at the same time I hope that growers would abide by the emerging draft Code of Practice, drawn up by the NFU and the BSFA, which, unlike the present voluntary code adopted by Herefordshire Council, ensures that only those growers who conform to the Code can sell on their produce to supermarket chains - This is a Code of Practice that` has teeth, but if these teeth don't work we may need to look a legislation."