Campaigners argue that the UK government must eliminate its dependency on food imports by doubling the area dedicated to growing fruit and vegetables.

In an open letter, nature-friendly farming groups and celebrities have united to urge the Prime Minister to expand the UK's horticulture sector.

They caution that if the decline in British fruit and vegetable production persists, the UK will face significant threats to its food supply, health, and environment.

Highlighting the 'vulnerability' of UK horticulture, campaigners warn that public health could be at risk if current trends continue and production reduces further.

Currently, imports total the majority of fruit and nearly half of the vegetables consumed in the UK.

However, with government support, the land used for horticulture in England could double, increasing from about 2% to 4% of farmland.

The letter's signatories include chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Anna Jones, author Dr. Chris van Tulleken, and farming influencers like Sinead Fenton.

Addressed to the UK's new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the letter points out that more land is currently used for golf courses than for fruit and vegetable production.

It warns of the 'devastating decline' in the horticulture sector, adding that ‘nearly half of our growers fear for the survival of their businesses’.

"Fruit and veg consumption in the UK is at its lowest level in half a century - less than a third of us eat our five-a-day." the letter states.

“What’s more, the produce that does reach us is too often imported from countries that are increasingly impacted by extreme weather.”

"Almost half of our veg and more than 80% of our fruit is imported. We urgently need more – not less – home-grown fruit and veg, or we face further disaster for supermarket shelves, our health, and the environment.”

The letter, led primarily by the Soil Association, Sustain, and the Wildlife Trusts, calls on Sir Keir to surpass the previous government's efforts and reinstate plans for a UK horticulture strategy, which were abandoned last year.

Additionally, it urges the new government to increase funding for fruit and vegetable production incentives, including organic farming, alongside tailored support for small-scale growers.