PLANS for boosting the horticulture sector across Europe were under discussion in Brussels this week at a hearing called by West Midlands Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre.
Miss McIntyre is lead negotiator for the European Parliament on plans to introduce new strategies in the sector to boost productivity, competitiveness and income.
She called the hearing, along with the chairman of the Parliament's Agriculture Committee, to hear the widest possible range of expert advice before drawing up her initial report.
In advance of today's meeting at the European Parliament she said: "Horticulture is an important and expanding part of agriculture right across Europe but we believe it has the capacity to contribute even more to the overall food production mix.
"Changing technology is leading to rapid advances to do with growing conditions and husbandry, which means the potential for further expansion and better yields is huge.
"This sector can start to play a hugely important role in addressing issues of food security and affordable nutrition."
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