GOVERNMENT MUST GIVE MORE BACKING TO FRUIT GROWERS - KEETCH

4.09.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st Oct 2005

local people at a fruit market

Speaking ahead of National Apple Day (21st October) the Liberal Democrats have voiced their concerns about the Government's failure to support British farmers by buying domestic produce for its own procurement schemes.

Last year, Parliamentary answers revealed that more than half the apples for the National School Fruit Scheme are imported. Commenting, Paul Keetch, Liberal Democrat MP for Hereford said:

"British fruit producers are up against stiff foreign competition and deserve all the support they can get. Local farmers have told me personally of their fears that our orchards are disappearing. This is because the Government is still choosing foreign fruit over home grown British produce for its own procurement schemes.

"Schemes such as the National School Fruit Scheme are a great opportunity to support British farmers and growers, benefit the environment by sourcing locally, improve the economy and aid our suffering agricultural market."

ENDS