NZ apples targetted by UK government

Benn discusses NZ apples

NZ apples could be victim of food 'revolution' explains UK government Secretary for Environment and Food.

SPEAKING to the BBC on the Andrew Marr show this weekend, the Secretary for The Environment and Food discussed his plans for a food revolution in the UK.

Growing food for a rising world population in the face of climate change was not going to as easy as the post-war green revolution said Benn, and required its own revolution.

A number of strategies were being discusses by the UK government for the coming years.

As well as encouraging farmers' markets and increased dialogue between local producers and supermarkets, Benn forsees more UK-produced food, seasonal buying and increased consumer pressure to reduce high-carbon imported foodstuffs.

When asked why Britain imports apples from NZ when it can easily grow its own, Benn replied, "I couldn't agree with you more on that, last month I brought together all of the people who represent the fruit and vegetable industry to talk about how we can grow more fruit and veg here in the UK, and apples is a really good example. There's no reason that we shouldn't grow more apples."

Britain has decimated its apple growers from 1500 in the eighties to just 400 now, said the interviewer.

See also, Why should the UK buy NZ produce?

Comments

[Avalon]

Hmmm, Im in two minds about this. Putting my kiwi hat on, Im miffed that this means our exports could be hurt. But on the other hand I also have a lot of sympathy for wanting to eat home grown food. I always found it daft that living in Herefordshire (one of the largest Organic Producing areas of the UK) we had to buy imported organic food because all the stuff from our area got shipped to london or abroad.

Food Miles I think are an important concept - but I do wonder how much this sort of thinking will actually hurt all our economies more in the long run.

[Alan]

I always though it very odd in the UK that most of the 'fresh' food available in the supermarket was from South America, Asia or Europe.. Where was all the local UK produce? oh yeah - successive UK Governments have decimated the UK's ability to be self sufficient with meat, veggies, fruit - all foods.
The simple fact is that the UK isn't geared up to produce as much food as it comsumes, and it wont be for decades even if there is a food revolution.
The UK would be hosed if there ever was a new serious war that stopped imports. As would numerous other countries.
I am glad that, while NZ imports some foods, much of what we buy in the local supermarkets is domestic produce.. And if all else fails, we can drink the wine! ;)

[Ethan Tucker]

I think the key word is 'easily' - certainly, the UK has a long history of growing its own apples. Think of all that cider! But not only can EU producers supply superior products to British consumers, so can NZ producers, despite having the extra expense of shipping refrigerated product from the other side of the world. British apples tend to be runty and less flavoursome than their foreign competitors. (Although I'm sure that might set off a bit of a patriotic argument!).

Perhaps there are more profitable uses for British agricultural land than growing apples?

[William Knight]

Thanks Ethan,

you're quite right of course, in a world where CO2 is not costed.

But we are learning the cost of CO2, and it's making some of our practices -- like importing apples across the globe -- look a bit silly.

When the price of CO2 is factored in, I wonder where UK consumers will buy their apples from?

[Ethan Tucker]

Still New Zealand, I suspect. Despite the shipping required, NZ primary production tends to be more efficient than the UK equivalent. 'Food miles' is a seductive argument, but often a spurious one.

[William Knight]

You might well be right, Ethan.

But on the other hand, what price will CO2 be when the high-cost is calculated to put off 90% of fossil fuel burning. (For a 90% reduction is about what the science demands for 2050 if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change).

How much will markets pay for that fuel, and will NZ apple exporters be able to do so, when they are competing against car exports or business flights or other high turnover businesses.

I agree that it's often a spurious argument about food miles, but with required reductions at the 90% sort of level, I don't think basic-goods type long-haul exports will survive. We'll see, I guess.

[Avalon]

Just wanted you to know that Im missing your blog!

Hope life is treating you well:)

H