Lord taylor (3rd left) meets science staff at East Malling

Minister briefed on visit to East Malling

The looming threat of a drought across the county this summer came under the microscope during a ministerial visit to a top scientific facility.

The work undertaken by scientists at East Malling Research (EMR) and the work of East Malling Trust, the UK’s largest independent funder of horticultural research,

were given a ministerial vote of confidence and thanks during a visit by Lord Taylor of Holbeach, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

He visited EMR as it was revealed that England and Wales could be heading for one of the driest winters on record with the average winter rainfall being lower than the months preceding the severe 1976 drought.

Lord Taylor toured the centre to review a series of projects delivering strategic irrigation science to support food production and reduce water consumption in horticulture.

He was particularly interested in the development of new varieties of strawberries, better able to cope with drought conditions through understanding their genome, as well as new techniques for reducing water consumption while maintaining yields, quality and shelf life.

Lord Taylor’s tour included the Unigro GroDome, the research centre’s secure containment facility; the glasshouses; and the post-harvest Produce Quality Centre, operated in partnership with the University of Greenwich.

During his visit, Lord Taylor said: ““East Malling Research has been at the forefront of many scientific advances in horticulture which have made an important contribution to the production of fruit and vegetables in the UK. They have coupled this with working closely with growers to make sure their research is translated on-farm.

“We need to produce more food to feed a growing global population. Scientific research to improve food production, whilst protecting the environment, is crucial to meeting that challenge.”

Professor Peter Gregory, chief executive of East Malling Research, outlined the vision for EMR to be the UK’s pre-eminent research institute for strategic and applied research, development and innovation in horticulture.

Professor Gregory said: “The issue of water consumption by horticulture and agriculture will inevitably rise up the political agenda over the coming months. As a result it was very timely that we had the opportunity to brief Lord Taylor on our work and its implications for the UK, as well as overseas producers.”

“East Malling is well-placed to work with growers and the wider fresh produce industry to adapt to climate change, and to use resources such as water more efficiently through our research expertise in genetics and crop improvement, resource efficiency, and pest and pathogen management. Our work in the area of post-harvest storage is also fundamental to reducing the country’s levels of food waste throughout the food chain.”