Crop research group shows off its fruitful work

Published on Thursday 16 July 2009 19:06

THE Scottish soft fruit picking season is in full swing and shows every indication of being one of the best for several years.

Speaking yesterday at an open day at the Scottish Crop Research Institute at Invergowrie, near Dundee, Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet secretary for rural affairs, stressed the importance of the soft fruit sector.

He said: "One of the main driving factors in our new national food and drink policy is a commitment to build on our outstanding science and research base. Scottish science is working across the food chain to help improve our health and boost the sector.

"These first-class foundations will play an increasingly important role in helping to provide answers to the many questions around our poor diet, food security and environmental sustainability. Making the right choices about what we eat and drink is also good news for Scottish businesses that grow, process and manufacture our food."

Raspberries and strawberries remain the principal fruit crops, although there is increasing interest in blueberries, due to their perceived health benefits. The raspberry beetle is a major problem for many growers, with damage resulting in crops being rejected. Visitors yesterday saw a new monitoring trap to help control this pest.

Dr Nick Birch, the senior entomologist at SCRI and project leader, said: "The trap will help growers meet the rising demand for pesticide-free fresh produce."