20th July, East Malling Research Centre, Kent
UK: Key industry issues at Fruit Focus 2016
“This will be a landmark event,” says event director Jon Day of Haymarket Exhibitions, “marking the start of a new era for Fruit Focus and the fresh produce sector with the many benefits that the NIAB EMR partnership will bring.”
Looking forward to hosting the event for the first time, Tina Barsby, NIAB Chief Executive agrees: “Continued innovation in plant science is essential to maintain the competitiveness of UK agriculture and horticulture, and to help address the global challenges of food security and climate change. The new partnership between NIAB and EMR provides resilience, scale and the capacity for long-term investment. It offers within a single organisation the research expertise to support progressive crop production at all levels, now within both the arable and fresh produce sectors. We will be looking forward to sharing the benefit of our technical information and advice with visitors to Fruit Focus.”
Top fruit to vines
As the fruit industry’s technical event, which also features vines, Fruit Focus will showcase all aspects of pre-and post harvest technology, machinery and equipment - and includes agronomy and business advice, right through to delivery to the retailer.
“Fruit Focus is the perfect opportunity for growers of soft fruit, orchard fruit and vines to discuss the changes and challenges we are all facing - and catch up with the latest developments,” says Jon Day. “We are showcasing some of the most sophisticated technology of any sector in the UK and being able to meet and question the people behind these innovations is invaluable.”
NFU Forums – 5 key issues
This year’s NFU Fruit Forums will discuss and debate five key topics. Chaired by NFU Horticulture & Potatoes Board Chairman Ali Capper, the first two sessions will tackle the key issues facing the sector: "Labour costs and the loss of crop protection options.” Guy Smith, NFU Vice President will be discussing the issues around crop protection, while Dr Chris Hartfield, Chief Horticulture Advisor will be covering the living wage, “we recognize these two huge issues have a tremendous impact on the horticultural industry, particularly the fruit sector and we will be highlighting how the NFU is lobbying in both Westminster and Brussels to reduce the impacts and create better outcomes for growers.”
‘Supply chains and consumer demand: fit for the future’, following the recently launched NFU report ‘Fit for the Future’, Lee Abbey, NFU horticulture advisor will be looking at how Government and the supply chain, including retailers, can help improve the consumption of fruit and veg by consumers. Speakers will also be talking about the progress of the Grocery Code Adjudicator, and providing an update on the ‘NFU Fruit and Veg Pledge’, which seeks to improve relationships between retailers and growers.
Dr Julien Lecourt will explore the topic of ‘Enhancing UK viticulture through world class science’ followed by Jo Cowderoy, UKVA General Secretary talking about the many excellent opportunities that UK viticulture offer.
Changes in trickle irrigation licensing will be explained by Henry Leveson-Gower, who leads the UK’s water abstraction reform at DEFRA (Department of Environment and Rural Affairs) and will inform growers on what they can expect.
Live demos
In the live Demonstration Arena visitors will be able to see machinery in action with live commentary. Manufacturers taking part include JC Machinery, who will be exhibiting the Imants RootPruner and Spader 27SX150R.
Other machinery on display will include models from Kirkland UK and specialist suppliers NP Seymour Ltd the latter of whom will be bringing driverless tractor technology to the UK in the form of the ProbotIQ Xpert system which, as an add-on to Fendt Vario tractors, uses easy to operate patented Teach and Playback technology to allow the tractor to drive and operate autonomously.
Tickets for Fruit Focus cost £10 and are available online or on the day. Visitors can earn both BASIS and NRoSO points for attending the event.
For more information:
www.fruitfocus.co.uk