Changes to European pesticide legislation threaten to send fruit and veg prices soaring – affecting consumer purchasing behaviour, consumption patterns and even voting preferences, a report has warned.
European ministers have been meeting in Brussels over the past fortnight in an effort to finalise the proposals ahead of a vote on November 5, which could lead to the removal of many pesticides from the authorised list. Opponents of the plans have argued fruit and veg prices could soar 30%-100% if the go-ahead is given.
The poorest people would sacrifice eating fruit and vegetables if costs rose dramatically, causing their health to suffer, the report by England Marketing claimed, with the elderly being particularly vulnerable. This would increase pressure on health services.
Some 85% of respondents said they would reconsider the way they voted in the next European elections if their MEP backed legislation that led to increased food prices. Of the various socio-economic groups questioned, families with the lowest disposable income were the most likely to change their votes. If food prices rose 30%, consumers would be more likely to shop for cheaper alternatives rather than reduce the quantity they consumed, the report argued, although 91% of respondents still worried about their family’s health in that scenario. However, if prices rose by 100% or more, they were likely to reduce the amount they bought.
“It was clear from the stakeholder research that increasing prices would put further pressure on consumers’ ability to continue buying fruit and veg,” the report concluded. With nearly two thirds of consumers currently eating only three portions of fruit and veg a day, according to the report, higher prices could damage health.
“These EU proposals will make produce less affordable and reduce the UK’s food security, which is fundamentally at odds to the UK government’s strategy”, added Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium.
European ministers have been meeting in Brussels over the past fortnight in an effort to finalise the proposals ahead of a vote on November 5, which could lead to the removal of many pesticides from the authorised list. Opponents of the plans have argued fruit and veg prices could soar 30%-100% if the go-ahead is given.
The poorest people would sacrifice eating fruit and vegetables if costs rose dramatically, causing their health to suffer, the report by England Marketing claimed, with the elderly being particularly vulnerable. This would increase pressure on health services.
Some 85% of respondents said they would reconsider the way they voted in the next European elections if their MEP backed legislation that led to increased food prices. Of the various socio-economic groups questioned, families with the lowest disposable income were the most likely to change their votes. If food prices rose 30%, consumers would be more likely to shop for cheaper alternatives rather than reduce the quantity they consumed, the report argued, although 91% of respondents still worried about their family’s health in that scenario. However, if prices rose by 100% or more, they were likely to reduce the amount they bought.
“It was clear from the stakeholder research that increasing prices would put further pressure on consumers’ ability to continue buying fruit and veg,” the report concluded. With nearly two thirds of consumers currently eating only three portions of fruit and veg a day, according to the report, higher prices could damage health.
“These EU proposals will make produce less affordable and reduce the UK’s food security, which is fundamentally at odds to the UK government’s strategy”, added Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium.
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