According to opposition spokesman for the environment and food, Lord Taylor of Holbeach, speaking at last week’s Fruit Focus exhibition.A Conservative government would “prioritise research and development in existing budgets”.

He said, “the Conservative party recognised that R&D is vital for the horticulture industry to be able to innovate, improve productivity and deal with new legislation. The Save Our Science campaign is one to which we in the Conservative party should be prepared to listen.”

He also pointed out that government spending for agricultural and horticultural research had fallen by 15 per cent under Labour, with Defra’s contribution dropping by one-fifth since the department was created in 2001.

“The Conservatives recognise the crucial role of achieving the goals of producing more while impacting less. We will prioritise R&D in existing budgets. That’s the nearest I can get to a spending commitment.”

“Clearly, given the parlous state of the public finances, we cannot commit to increase funding but we will prioritise R&D within existing budgets,” he added.

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