How do we maintain the status of lowest cost producers for British growers in the face of pressure from subsidised imports, especially from southern Europe?
A4. The aim is to improve production efficiency by increasing yields, whilst reducing inputs. British growers have been very successful in this respect. Average production per acre has doubled in the past 25 years, whilst the use of glasshouse heating fuel has been reduced by one third, and labour hours by two thirds, for each box of tomatoes produced. This, however, is dependent on substantial investment in new glasshouses and facilities.
