Farmers fight to protect watercress
Watercress farmers have launched a fight to protect traditional growing methods after cheaper alternatives have started to appear.
Watercress has become increasingly popular as health conscious people flock to get hold of the latest “superfoods”, with sales doubling in the past decade from £30 million to £60 million.
The National Farmers’ Union Watercress Growers’ Association is becoming concerned that traditional methods of growing watercress in flowing water channelled through sloping gravel beds is being threatened by land-grown alternatives.
The new production methods are cheaper to produce and require less infrastructure.
As a result, the watercress association, which has seven members, is applying for protection for their method of growing watercress under the EU’s Protected Food Name Scheme.
The association claims the traditional crop has a superior taste to land-grown cress. Farmers also say their method of growing the semi-aquatic plant – in an industry which is concentrated in the south of England where chalk springs provide an abundant supply of clean water – helps to protect headwaters of streams.
It can be cultivated all year, without artificial heat or light, the producers added.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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