More support for fruit and vegetable growers would create thousands of good, green rural jobs and contribute millions to the rural economy, Ariane Burgess MSP said today.
In a Scottish Parliamentary debate during Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, the Highlands and Islands MSP celebrated fruit and veg farmers and market gardeners, calling them ‘key workers’.
Ariane highlighted local producers including Craigdhu Croft in Fort William, Poyntzfield Herb Nursery on the Black Isle and Knockfarrel Croft in Strathpeffer, in a social media thread on the topic.
But the Scottish Greens MSP noted that many growers do not receive the public funding that other farmers benefit from, and stressed the need for change.
Ariane Burgess MSP said:
“Fruit and veg growers are key workers in green jobs, working hard to grow food for our shops, our veg boxes, and our dinner tables.
“They contribute 10% of total agricultural output value using less than 1% of our farmed land.
“But many don’t receive the public funding that other farmers get, due to farm size or lack of livestock.
“Fruit and veg growers deserve more support, and this should be reflected in the new farm payment framework that will follow next year’s Agriculture Bill.
“More support for market gardens and larger fruit and veg farms would create thousands of good, green rural jobs and contribute millions to the rural economy.
“It would also ensure that public money is delivering public goods: healthy, sustainable, local food for people in Scotland.”
