Michael and Rose head off to Westminster!

A few weeks ago Michael and Rose travelled down to Westmister with confetti in hand.  We had been asked by the NFU to supply our biodegradable confetti in the goody bags for an event to support the heart of horticulture.  Michael and Rose joined more than 100 people including Shropshire Farmers to talk to the Defra top team, including Ministers Jim Paice and Caroline Spelman, about the importance of the produce they grow which is worth more than £600 million to the region. 

'Michael, Rose and other growers and with Defra Minster Caroline Spelman, Philip Dunne,MP, Shropshire NFU Chairman Rob Alderson and Anthea McIntyre,MEP' 

The event at Portcullis House saw the findings of a ground-breaking horticultural report discussed with ministers, MPs and others including Lord Taylor of Holbeach.  Defra minister Jim Paice told the audience that it was now recognised that farming was important to help re-balance the economy.  The study found that while West Midlands' horticulture uses just 3% of the region's agricultural land it contributes more than 21% of the value of its agricultural output.  Michael said "This was a critical event to be at because Government issues and decisions have a long term impact on the sustainability of the farm.  The NFU and senior policy adviser Clare Greener put a lot of effort into this event and it was a wonderful lobbying opportunity." 

'The great British Goody Bags' 

At the event guests were treated to a taste of the West Midlands with a variety of regional produce on offer, from cider to strawberries and even one of our new confetti boxes.  The perfect size for their goody bags our boxes fitted in well with the wide range of produce.  As said by Neil Adams of the European Food and Farming Partnership "Cropping across the region is extremely diverse and is what differentiates the West Midlands from other large horticultural areas."

Love as always SP x x