Dr Sven Batke, our Chair, recently featured on BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme, contributing to a discussion on the future of UK fruit and vegetable production. The radio broadcast also featured GIC partners, Flavourfresh.
The programme brought together perspectives from across the food and farming sector, including the UK Government’s Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, the President of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), independent crop consultant David Barker, and representatives from the horticulture industry.
The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges facing British fruit and vegetable production, including food security, grower profitability, investment, labour, energy costs and the future role of domestic production within the UK’s food system.
During the programme, Sven discussed the importance of protected horticulture and controlled environment agriculture in supporting year-round food production and improving the resilience of UK supply chains. The conversation highlighted how innovation, research and collaboration across the sector can help address some of the challenges facing growers.
As Chair of the GIC, Sven works closely with growers, technology providers, researchers and policymakers to support innovation within the protected horticulture sector. The BBC Radio 4 feature reflects the growing national interest in the role that greenhouse production can play in strengthening UK food security.
Speaking after the broadcast, Sven said:
“It was encouraging to contribute to a national discussion on the future of food production in the UK. Protected horticulture offers significant opportunities to improve resilience, productivity and sustainability, and it is important that the sector remains part of wider conversations about the future of British agriculture.”
The full programme can be accessed via BBC Sounds.
