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Government's school fruit snub to British growers - Burstow
January 1, 2006 12:00 AM
The Government are snubbing British farmers by importing nine out of ten summer fruit portions served to children as part of the National School Fruit scheme according to figures uncovered by Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow.
The figures also show that in the last year four out of five pears, and over half the apples supplied to schools were grown outside the UK.
Ministers revealed the level to which British suppliers are being let down in response to Parliamentary questions by Paul Burstow, despite ploughing £28.5 million on the scheme last year.
Paul Burstow MP commented:
"It makes no sense for the Government to be importing so much summer fruit when there are growers in the UK that could provide it.
"Whilst I warmly welcome making fresh fruit and vegetables widely available to children in schools, the Government must do more to make sure it buys British.
"No doubt our farmers will be asking why four out of five pears and more than half of the apples provided by the Governments' scheme are shipped in from overseas, when home-grown fruit is available."
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