Horticulture industry difficulties took centre stage during a visit to a local farm. Parliamentarians involved in the National Farmers’ Union’s Food and Farming Fellowship scheme made their way to Sefter Farm in Bognor Regis to examine issues affecting the horticulture sector. Horsham’s representative in Parliament, John Milne, participated in conversations with NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair Martin Emmett, covering matters such as planning obstacles, supply chain connections and insufficient long-term clarity regarding seasonal worker permits.

Martin Emmett, who chairs the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board, explained that meeting with elected representatives and policymakers on such occasions holds significant value. He noted that bringing parliamentarians onto farms gives them genuine insight into the difficulties confronting the industry and the essential contribution growers make to national food production, economic growth and rural communities.

The dialogue also examined Defra’s development of a horticulture Sector Growth Plan through the Farming and Food Partnership Board, intended to strengthen productivity, profitability and food security. The parliamentarians examined Barfoots’ environmentally-conscious agricultural operations, touring its water purification facilities and newly constructed reservoir, as well as visiting the sweetcorn processing facility to understand the complete production cycle.

Julian Marks, group chief executive at Barfoots, remarked that welcoming such a receptive group of MPs to tour their facilities was a rewarding experience.