Minister discovers how Reading is securing the future of fruit

Thursday, 01 August 2013

Dr Matthew Ordidge and David Heath MP

The University was delighted to welcome The Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs David Heath MP, to the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Farm in Kent yesterday.

The University has been responsible for scientifically curating and maintaining the collection, one of the largest fruit collections in the world, since 2008. It is home to over 3,500 named Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Bush fruit, Vine and Cob Nut cultivars and forms part of an international programme to ensure that there are enough food crops for the future despite climate and environmental change.

Owned and supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the collection is recognised both within the UK and internationally as a highly valuable genetic resource.

The University's Dr Matthew Ordidge is the Scientific Curator for the National Fruit Collection. He said: "We were delighted to showcase our work to David Heath MP. Our research helps policy makers and commercial growers in tackling the challenges of maintaining sustainable fruit production in the future. Indeed there is emerging evidence that spring is occurring earlier in the year which is leading to challenging conditions for almost all crops.

"Many people know the National Fruit Collection exists but perhaps do not recognise its status as a genetic resource. Brogdale houses varieties of both historic and current importance to the UK, including varieties thought to date back to the 1500's."

Food Minister David Heath said: "It was fantastic to see how one of the largest fruit collections in the world can help protect us against future threats like pests and global climate change. The team in Kent and Reading do an excellent job helping make sure we have the right varieties of fruit for generations to come."