TIP SHEET:
This week Tipp FM looked at how climate change and biodiversity impacts on a local fruit growing business.
Did you know…
Having fruit on the supermarket shelf out of season leaves a major carbon footprint as it has to be flown to Ireland
The change in weather patterns is a concern for fruit growers as the summer hail we’ve experienced this year can cause significant damage to strawberries and raspberries in particular.
Since Bord na Mona stopped harvesting peat many soft fruits are grown in coco-coir which has to be shipped from Indonesia.
Increased Costs…
The Apple Farm sources around 15% of their electricity from solar panels on site with plans to increase that this year.
Insects are essential in pollinating fruit crops – however a fruit fly which came from Asia to United States has arrived in Ireland in recent years which means most raspberries in Ireland now have to be grown indoors to protect them from this particular pest.
The cost of constructing glasshouses or tunnels will in all probability lead to increased costs to the consumer.
