West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has backed calls for extra support to help the hop growing industry which has been hit by reduced demand for beer over the last 12 months.

With pubs and restaurants closed down for periods of lockdown, brewers have reduced their beer and lager production, and this means that hop growers face reduced demand for their crops this summer.

And although the hospitality sector has received additional support including tax and rates relief and the popular ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, hops producers are facing a second year of shrinking demand.

There are only 59 hop growers in England and many are based in Harriett’s West Worcestershire constituency and neighbouring Herefordshire as well as major hop exporters.

Harriett has been contacted by local growers and agreed to sign a joint letter from MPs to the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs, calling for a plan to support the hop industry this Summer.

Harriett said: “Hop growing is one of our most valued skills and farms have been producing world-beating hops for many decades producing beers at home and abroad.

“Hop vines are permanent crops that require expertise to nurture and it is not possible to stop growing the crop for a year or two while demand is in flux.

“Farmers are worried that demand will decline again this year meaning that farmers won’t harvest their crops and may be forced to stop growing hops for good.

“During the Summer, hop vines form a wonderful part of our rural landscape and I am keen to join efforts to extend support for the industry and ensure that we preserve hop production and this vital agricultural sector.”