A proposed change in tax is putting the south west's apple growers and cider makers at risk of closure.

The recent government proposal of an increase in duty rates from August will see an average cider face a 41 per cent increase in excise duty.

Around the UK there are over 16,000 cider apple orchards, the majority of which are in the south west.

These changes are set to have a significant impact on the industry and threaten the livelihoods of fruit growers and cider makers, as well as the countryside.

Orcharding and growing cider apples is a big commitment and takes a long time.

Young trees are first planted in a nursery orchard where they are nurtured and cared for appropriately whilst time is taken to prepare the soil in the orchard.

The trees are then planted out in their final space and take at least seven years before starting to produce a full crop.

In total, a typical cider orchard takes a decade to reach maturity.

As apple grower Bruce Starkey summarised: “A significant factor of the UK cider industry is that this is not a crop that is sold on the open market, we grow acres of orchards under contract to one or two cider makers.

"The relationship between grower and cider maker requires significant trust on both sides.

"I must ensure that my orchards are well tended and produce the highest possible yield of fruit, and in turn, I trust the cider maker to promote their drinks and grow the market.

"The diversity of the cider market is critical to both of us, as we need a wide range of people buying and enjoying cider.”

Cider apple orchards are a much-treasured part of local communities and provide a picturesque backdrop to many villages, provide cider routes that bring hundreds of thousands of tourists to the counties and provide much needed employment in rural areas.

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Well managed orchards also support a huge range of biodiversity. Natural hedgerows support our native bird population and wide planting areas and natural watercourses attract a diverse range of insects including pollinators such as bees. Many farmers go further by including additional features in their orchards such as bat boxes.

Fenella Tyler, chief executive of the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) said: “With the general rise in the cost of living and a planned increase in tax throughout the industry, cider makers are extremely concerned that these changes in tax will result in a loss of cider apple orchards as the market shrinks further.

"The impact of these economic proposals could lead to orchards being lost for good as they are only used to grow cider apples, and once removed they are unlikely to ever be replanted.

"Whilst the government plans to introduce support for the smallest cider makers, there will be nothing to support the medium/small-medium sized cider makers that have been passed down through the generations and provide interest and diversity in the drinks category. 

"It is crucial that we raise awareness of the impact that the government reform could have on our industry and campaign to protect fruit growers, orcharding, cider apples and cider makers for even more generations to come.“