EVESHAM MP Nigel Huddleston ensured Environment Secretary and Tory leadership candidate Michael Gove kept his promise to sample a selection of the world-class asparagus produced in the Vale.
Speaking in the House of Commons in May, Mr Huddleston invited Mr Gove to the British Asparagus Festival currently taking place throughout the Vale of Evesham and to show his support for local farmers.
The Vale is the only asparagus to have EU protected geographical indication (PGI) status.
Whilst Mr Gove was unable to attend the festival, he told Mr Huddleston he would be very happy to try some asparagus as soon as possible.
Mr Huddleston was joined by fellow Worcestershire MPs Rachel Maclean (Redditch) and Robin Walker (Worcester) to present the locally-grown asparagus to the Environment Secretary, who was pleased to receive a sample from Revills Farm Shop based near Pershore.
Mr Huddleston said after the meeting: “I was delighted to be able to join some of my Worcestershire colleagues to present the Environment Secretary with asparagus that is grown in the heart of our region.
“The brilliant atmosphere of events like the asparagus fun-run that I took part in demonstrates how important farming and asparagus-growing is to both our community and the local economy, so I was pleased to bring a small part of that to Westminster and show Mr Gove why our area is the best for producing world-class food produce.”
The British Asparagus Festival continues until June 21.
