Town's MP welcomes report on the importance of horticulture

A REPORT on the importance of horticulture to Worcestershire and to the West Midlands has been enthusiastically welcomed by Droitwich Spa’s MP.

Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff was responding to a detailed report of the industry. He said it provided vital evidence “to help us all talk up the importance of growing.”

The report follows a detailed survey of the industry conducted by European Food and Farming Partnership (EFFP), which worked with an industry steering group to produce the study. The steering group included representatives from the National Farmers’ Union, the University of Worcester and Wychavon District Council, among others.

It was the subject of a conference at Wychavon District Council’s Civic Centre in Pershore today.

Speaking at the conference, Mr Luff said: “This is the first time we have had real hard evidence of the importance of growing to the economies of both Worcestershire and Herefordshire and to the wider region. It shows that there are exciting prospects for - and high quality jobs in - an industry that is too often misunderstood.

“The report highlights a number of actions that the industry and government need to take to ensure we maximise the benefits of a traditional strength of the county. I will now work with the NFU to help get the message of the report across to MPs and the government.”

The report has helped to get a fuller picture of the region’s credentials as one of the country’s leading horticulture hot-spots and has unearthed some key information on a variety of issues including the sector’s competitiveness and viability.