Securing a sustainable British horticulture industry

Food security is increasingly a major political issue. Furthermore, growing public awareness about where our food comes from and concerns about the sustainability of some food production systems have meant that farmers and growers are producing food to ever higher standards of environmental protection, quality, hygiene and traceability. Therefore, the real question in any debate about sustainability is: 'how can British horticulture produce more food to feed more people and make a profit from doing so, while using less land and resources and improving the environment at the same time?' In 2009, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the establishment of a Fruit and Vegetables Task Force, which has set a target to increase UK self-sufficiency of indigenous vegetables to 73% and indigenous fruit to 50%; thus reversing a decade of decline. This will be essential for securing a viable, profitable, successful and sustainable British horticulture industry. Achieving this target will require greater engagement with consumers, enhanced monitoring of the supply chain and reduced regulatory burdens. Ultimately, sustainability in horticulture requires a balance to be struck between the competing and pressing demands that are placed on British growers and then maintained.