The environment secretary Hilary Benn will today (October 21) announce a new Government quango created to persuade people to grow and eat more fruit and vegetables.

Since food shortages caused world-wide rioting two years ago, the Government has become increasingly concerned about our ” food security” as production has slumped in the 12 years of New Labour. We now produce less than 40% of our fruit and veg.

Today, Mr Benn will announce the creation of the Fruit and Vegetable Task Force,comprising growers, retailers, consumers and agricultural researchers to develop an action plan to increase the production and consumption of fruit and vegetables in this country.

Mr. Benn said that the new group needed to look at ways to get people growing their own fruit and vegetables, as well as ways to support England’s commercial growers – and to get people choosing local fruit and veg, particularly when it’s in season.

Consumer demand also needs to increase, as most people still do not eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. In particular the group will focus on young people and low-income families, who are less likely to eat recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables.

Mr Benn added that he wants English growers to have the opportunity to produce as much as they could to meet consumer demand.

In 2008, domestic production of fruit and vegetables was 37 per cent of demand and 11 per cent of the fresh fruit we consume.

Mr Benn said: “If we grow and eat more fruit and vegetables here – in our greenhouses, in our orchards, in our fields, our allotments and in our own back gardens – it will be good for our health, our farming community, and our landscape.

“We need make sure our farmers can compete successfully with imports, are resilient to the effects of climate change, and that we’re getting fresh talent into the industry so that we can continue to grow world-class fruit and veg.”

Yet another quango seems to conflict with plans by Natural England to reduce the amount of livestock grazing on England’s hill farms by up to 70%. Daelnet will discuss this issue in "A week in the Country" on Friday.