Horticulture
Introduction
Defra has policy responsibility for work on horticultural production and marketing, potatoes and hops. Along with other UK Agriculture Departments, Defra administers schemes for growers, including:
- CAP Reform - Single Payment Scheme
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetables - Producer Organisation (Fresh Fruit and Vegetables) Aid Scheme
Defra's policy responsibilities extend to the following EU regimes:
- fresh and processed fruit and vegetables,
- flowers and plants,
- hops,
- olive oil and table olives,
- tobacco,
- and bananas.
Part of this responsibility entails attending Management Committees. These are meetings attended by Member States whose responsibility it is to give an opinion on proposals made by the Commission for the management of these regimes. Further information on Management Committees can be found on the Europa website.
EU marketing standards
From 1 April 2006, the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate, which enforces EU marketing standards for fresh fruit and vegetables, became part of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). Details of Standards can now be accessed from the RPA Internet site.
Bee health & honey
Information is available on Defra's work in relation to bee health and honey production.
Other related matters
The following horticultural bodies are sponsored by Defra -
- the Horticultural Development Council
- the British Potato Council
- the Covent Garden Market Authority
- the National Fruit Collection - see Brogdale Horticultural Trust website
Horticultural Research & Development is also co-ordinated.
Levy Board Review
On 28 June 2006 Sustainable Farming and Food Minister, Jeff Rooker, made an announcement regarding the future of the five main GB and UK statutory agricultural and horticultural levy bodies.
Mushrooms
Report by ADAS on possible alternatives to the use of poultry manure
for the production of mushroom compost, with particular reference to the
use of waste materials - 'Meeting
on mushroom substrates' 
(70 KB) - December 2005 has been published. See also Process Guidance
Note 6/30
(Jan 06) (716 KB)
on mushroom substrate manufacture.
Page last modified: 25 January 2007
Page published: 11 March 2005