The GLA is set to work with local councils to target rogue gangmasters. Read more news on: | Gangmasters Licensing Authority | GLA | labour-providers |

The success of NFU lobbying for an increase in the size of the SAWS has been appreciated by growers affected by labour shortages. Read more news on: | SAWS | NFU | Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme |

Some 5,000 more workers have been granted access under SAWS, home office minister Phil Woolas announced today. Read more news on: | SAWS | Home Office | Sector Base Scheme | Horticultural industry |

The government has been asked to relax labour market restrictions to migrant workers from Romania and Bulgaria... Read more news on: | migrant workers | Migrant Advisory Committee | fresh produce sector | immigration quotas |

A report compiled for the British government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has further illustrated the crucial role of seasonal migrant workers and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Scheme (SAWS) to the horticulture sector. Read more news on: | Seasonal Agricultural Worker Scheme | SAWS | Migration Advisory Committee | horticultural sector | immigration agriculture |

This summer has not been the kindest to the soft-fruit category, with unseasonably wet and dark conditions holding back both supply and demand. Read more news on: | Elsanta production | Scottish strawberry polytunnels | Everbearers strawberry | glasshouse strawberry | UK season |

The fresh produce industry this week faced up to repeated warnings that falling migrant worker numbers could seriously threaten its stability. Read more news on: | soft fruit | migrant labour agriculture | foreign workers | shortage of workers | berry growers | apple growers |

A mix of chemicals found in black raspberries may more effectively prevent cancer Read more news on: | black raspberry | cancer | anticancer | berries | phenols | phytosterols |

Labour issues have come to a head across the fresh produce industry this year, following restrictions on seasonal migrant workers Read more news on: | fresh produce industry | Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme | SAWS | GLA | migrant workers | gangmasters |

The East Malling Research Strawberry Breeding Club will be officially launched at Fruit Focus 2008 Read more news on: | Fruit Focus | East Malling Research | Strawberry breeding | Defra |

A.M.S. Exotic LLC plans to launch the company’s first coupon campaign next month in four Western states. Read more news on: | AMS Exotic | Scott Lehmann | Earth Exotic | baby vegetables | cooked vegetables |

Millions of pounds worth of soft fruit and vegetables are likely to be left to rot in fields this summer because of a shortage of foreign pickers. Read more news on: | soft fruit | pickers | horticultural industry | strawberry pickers | NFU |

Red, juicy, delicious strawberries are one of the healthiest fruits to include in your diet. Read more news on: | strawberries | antioxidants | flavonoids | ellagic acid | heart health | blood pressure |

Four of Europe`s leading berry companies involved in developing new varieties are going to be speaking at the Global Berry Congress organised by Eurofruit Magazine. Read more news on: | Global berry congress | fresh berries | strawberry varieties | Eurofruit Magazine |

Berries and pomegranate may serve better as valentine`s gifts for lovers than chocolate as studies found these foods can boost heart health. Read more news on: | berries | pomegranate | bilberries | LDL cholesterol | Alzheimer | antioxidants |

The prestigious annual Grower of the Year awards this year attracted the attention of Crop Pro Tech, the industry specialists in safeguarding your production. Read more news on: | crop pro tech | grower of the year | crop protection | table tops |

A diet rich in berries may boost levels of good cholesterol and improve blood pressure, indicating their potential benefits for heart health. Read more news on: | berries | LDL cholesterol | HDL cholesterol | heart health | bilberries | lingonberries | black currants | strawberry |

Huelva turned from almost solely cultivating strawberries to have a wider range of products, including raspberries, blueberries and currants. Read more news on: | Huelva strawberry | raspberry Spain | blueberry | currants | Strawberry Symposium |

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, which is especially important for women of child-bearing age because it reduces the chance of some birth defects, such as spina bifida. Read more news on: | strawberry | folic acid | strawberry folate | natural pigments | anthocyanins |

Undoubtedly, we can consider blueberry as one of the agricultural products which have recently caused more expectancy and growth in the markets worldwide and in particular in Europe. Read more news on: | blueberry | Euroberry Marketing | Hortifruit |

Researchers have found that drinking three glasses of cranberry juice a day is significantly reducing the risk of heart disease. Read more news on: | cranberry | good cholesterol | antioxidant | heart disease |

Foods reported to be high in powerful antioxidants, which help fight the oxidation process contributing to age-related diseases, are gaining growing interest. Read more news on: | blueberry | antioxidants | heart disease | anthocyanins |

Scientists in Arkansas are reporting new evidence that natural pigments responsible for the beautiful blue/purple/reddish color of certain fruits and vegetables may help prevent obesity. Read more news on: | fruits | vegetables | berries | blueberry | anthocyanins | blackberry | strawberry |

Herefordshire Council is to withdraw its policy of requiring automatic planning permission for all polytunnels in the county. Read more news on: | NFU | polytunnels | planning permission | soft fruit |

Wellpict Inc demonstrates the developments in its organic and conventional lines. Read more news on: | Wellpict | organic | packaging | strawberry |

If there`s any one fruit that symbolises the British summer, it`s the strawberry. This succulent, fragrant fruit is as beautiful as it is flavourful. Read more news on: | local strawberry | British strawberry season | Wimbledon | buy British | healthy berries |

Government clarifies position on polytunnel planning in England Read more news on: | polytunnels | polytunnels planning permission | spanish tunnels |

The new study found that those who reported eating the most strawberries experienced lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, a biomarker for inflammation in the blood vessels. Read more news on: | strawberry | cardiovascular disease | heart disease | folate | LDL cholesterol | antioxidants |

The use of polytunnels has revolutionised soft fruit production in the UK Read more news on: | soft fruit | poly tunnels | strawberry polytunnels |

A look at how a shortage in labour is causing problems in the soft fruit industry. Read more news on: | seasonal labour | soft fruit | hiller farms | fruitful jobs |

Very few historical records exist on ancient blueberry culture in the Greek and Roman empires. Those cultures did use parts of the blueberry plants and fruit to eat or to treat ailments. Read more news on: | blueberry plants | antioxidants | heart disease | anthocyanin | superfoods |

A look at the iconic British Bramley Apple. Read more news on: | bramley apple | fruit | cooking apple | english apple and pears |

After only two years in the retail market, A.M.S. Exotic has seen its fresh-cut Earth Exotics vegetables grow to about 60 percent of its business. Read more news on: | AMS Exotic | Earth Exotic | fresh cut vegetables | Los Angeles fresh produce |

Blueberries could strengthen blood vessels against oxidative stress that may lead to heart disease, says new research - news that could boost already impressive sales. Read more news on: | blueberry | oxidative stress | superfoods | cholesterol | cardiovascular disease |

The decision to bring in planning regulations for using soft fruit polytunnels is unlikely to be rolled out to Scottish farms. Read more news on: | Well Pict European Scotland | poly tunnels | crop protection | polytunnel planning permission | spanish tunnels | scottish farms |

A farmer owned soft fruit company is trailing a new direct supply of fruit and vegetables into ASDA superstores across Devon & Cornwall. Read more news on: | ASDA | strawberries | potatoes | fresh cabbages | fresh cauliflower | broccoli | greens | leeks | fresh local food |

Maybe this recent initiative, by Asda and AMS, will boost berry intake north of the border... Read more news on: | asda | strawberry scotland | scottish strawberry | local strawberry |

Demand for berries and cherries is exploding because of their proven health benefits, but there`s plenty of potential for even more growth. Read more news on: | soft fruit | Well Pict | antioxidants | health |

An analysis of the blueberry market in the UK and the challenges such a market is facing, along with practical solutions the industry can collective make. Read more news on: | blueberry | soft fruit | Well Pict European | fruit grower |

Well Pict Spain`s outlook on the forthcoming season. Read more news on: | Well Pict Spain | strawberry | soft fruit | frost |

The history behind, and the future of the British Plum industry, including case study of an Evesham fruit grower. Read more news on: | plum | soft fruit | local produce | Asda stores | stone fruit |

Polytunnels are essential to the success of many fruit growers. Here we take a look at the reasons for their use. Read more news on: | Poly tunnels | soft fruit | crop protection | spanish tunnels |

It is no longer realistic or economic to grow strawberries in the UK climate to the standards of reliability and quality demanded by customers without tunnel protection. Read more news on: | Crop protection | polytunnels | soft fruit growth | strawberry polytunnels |

Kirk Larson discusses how to look for the perfect strawberry Read more news on: | strawberry | grower | agronomy |

In Portugal verlangsamt der Mangel an ausländischen Arbeitskräften das Wachstum großer Betriebe in den Anbaugebieten für Erdbeeren und kleine Beerenfrüchte. Read more news on: | Well Pict | Projekt Natura |

Congratulations to ASDA for winning the BBC Food and Farming award for best retailer. Read more news on: | asda | ams marketing | bbc award | local deliveries |

A look at the problems affecting the strawberry harvest and the impact that this has had on sales within the UK. Read more news on: | strawberry grower | crop protection | soft fruit | Sabrosa | strawberry Huelva | Camarosa |

A look at the new management control system in use at West newton Fruit designed to make efficiencies in the production process. Read more news on: | packing | soft fruit | PacKing Software | strawberry packhouse |

A look at the success of the poly tunnel, and why it is one of the most important agricultural developments. Read more news on: | poly tunnel | soft fruit | crop protection | planning restrictions |

Growing news takes a look at what 2005 holds in stores for soft fruit production, and analyses what we can expect from each of the various fruits. Read more news on: | Soft fruit | grower | strawberry | blueberry | |

David Johnston gives his views on how the industry can avoid some of the stresses of last season. Read more news on: | strawberry | grower | agronomy | Well Pict European | soft fruit |

Kent County Council, through their Produced in Kent initiative are encouraging the purchase of local apples. Read more news on: | Produced in Kent | apples | local fruit |

An analysis of the PickWise labour productivity analysis tool set to improve efficiency in the UK fresh produce market. Read more news on: | labour productivity | PickWise | supply chain system |

British Summer Fruits chairman Laurence Olins has revealed what a successful year 2004 has been for British soft fruits. Read more news on: | British Summer Fruits | soft fruit | strawberry | grower | polytunnels |

A season filled witih positive media has led to a significant increase in soft fruit sales in ASDA stores. Read more news on: | soft fruit | ASDA | strawberry | blueberry | AMS marketing |

Stargrow Nursery have diversified allowing them to supply soft fruit throughout the world. Read more news on: | Well Pict European | South Africa |