EMR launch new strawberry breeding club at Fruit Focus 2008

The East Malling Research (EMR) Strawberry Breeding Club will be officially launched at 12pm from the EMR stand, number 13 at Fruit Focus 2008 by Dr Colin Gutteridge, Chief Executive Officer for EMR.

EMR plus 12 members from industry including CPM Retail Ltd., Horticultural Development Company (2 shares), KG Growers Ltd., Marks and Spencer, Mack Multiples, Meiosis Ltd (representing a consortium of UK propagators), Tesco, The Summerfruit Company, Well-Pict European, Fragaria Holland (representing a consortium of continental European propagators) and Graminor have committed £975K over five years to support strawberry breeding at East Malling. The Club’s inaugural meeting was held in June.

EMR is delighted with the level of support from across all sectors of the Strawberry industry. Growers, plant propagators, marketing companies and retailers are represented within The Club and will be able to direct the East Malling programme to meet their requirements.

This project, which has strategic support from Defra, addresses important environmental issues including the impact of climate change, consumer and retailer pressure for pesticide reduction and the need to reduce the environmental footprint of strawberry production. These relate directly to Defra priorities within the policy for Sustainable Farming and Food Science. This combination of funding will enable Head Breeder, David Simpson and his team to continue their world-leading EMR programme and develop an exciting range of new varieties for the future.

Mr Richard Harnden said “KG Growers Ltd is pleased to be continuing its long held association with the strawberry breeding programme at East Malling by becoming a founder member of the East Malling Strawberry Breeding Club. David Simpson and the team have some very interesting June-bearing selections under development, which KG growers look forward to trialling. On behalf of the industry, I would also like to place on record our thanks for the continuation of funding for the strawberry breeding programme from Defra and, in particular, acknowledge the considerable support the programme has received from Dr Sue Popple.”

The strawberry breeding programme at East Malling Research (EMR) aims to develop a range of high quality varieties with overlapping seasons, which crop in succession from April to October. A major emphasis for new varieties is placed on excellent fruit quality, including good flavour, attractive appearance, good shelf life and good suitability for 60 day cropping. Other objectives include improved resistance to pests and diseases and development of novelty varieties for niche markets.