MAY 2024 UPDATE
Following government announcements in May 2024, the BAPL manifesto has been updated.
VIEW THE UPDATED BAPL MANIFESTO
In March 2024, British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), the organisation representing commercial top fruit growers, published its first ever manifesto.
Designed to provide all political parties with clear guidance on how best to secure the future of the British apple and pear industry, the manifesto sets out ten clear actions.
“Any new British government has a great opportunity to turn around the current crisis facing UK apple and pear growers.” Explained Ali Capper, executive chair of BAPL. “We have set out clear steps that we believe are both necessary and practical to achieve that.
“We understand that there will be many competing priorities for any new government, but the actions in our manifesto have extremely far-reaching and positive impacts. Implementing these actions will help ensure domestic food security, support the rural economy, our environment and the health of the nation. Those ambitions should be firmly on the agenda of any government.”
The ten actions in the BAPL manifesto concern a range of issues from fair contracts with supermarkets to labour, environmental protection and innovation.
BAPL sent the manifesto directly to the leaders of all the main political parties as well as their key representatives for agriculture, farming, health, finance and labour.
“In addition to sending them our new manifesto, we will be offering face-to-face briefings with the political parties.” Explained Ali Capper. “We are very keen to work with anyone who is open to our ideas for a stronger and sustainable British apple and pear industry.”