Government has FAILED Fruit Farmers

HUGH ATTACKS GOVERNMENT OVER LACK OF SUPPORT FOR KENTS FRUIT FARMERS

Hugh Robertson has attacked the government over its lack of support for Kent's Fruit Farmers. Hugh is Secretary of the Parliamentary Fruit Group and MP for the one remaining constituency where fruit farming predominates.

The National Fruit Show, formerly the Marden Fruit Show, takes place today and yesterday at the County Showground at Detling in Kent - in Hugh's constituency. Hugh visited the show yesterday and was astonished to discover that that no Minister from the current Labour Government has ever visited or supported the show despite constant invitations. Indeed a show organiser said: "We get Royalty more often than New Labour.

"Hugh has taken the unusual step of writing to the Speaker to ask to raise the question at DEFRA Questions today.

Hugh said: "Fruit farming is an activity we all ought to support. Orchards are good for the environment, they are wholly unsubsidised and they provide high quality produce close to the market place. It is also vital to the Kentish economy.

"It is an outrage that no Minister in the current Labour Government has ever been to visit or support the show.

"Kent's fruit farmers, who do so much for the Government's fruit for schools and five-a-day programmes, deserve better."