First crop of blackcurrants bred to cope with warmer winters due to climate change bears fruit 

by

First crop of blackcurrants bred to cope with warmer winters due to climate change bears fruit

  • A new variety of blackcurrant has fruited for the first time after being bred for UK
  • The Ben Lawers variety is able to cope with the impact of warmer winters
  •  It has been developed by Lucozade Ribena Suntory, mainly for use in Ribena

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: | Updated:

The first crop of UK blackcurrants bred to cope with the impact of warmer winters is being harvested.

Some 75,000 bushes of the new variety of blackcurrant, named Ben Lawers, are fruiting for the first time this year after 20 years of research, scientists said.

It has been developed by Lucozade Ribena Suntory, which uses 90 per cent of Britain’s blackcurrants to make Ribena, and the James Hutton Institute.

Ben Lawers, named after the 4,000ft peak in the Scottish Highlands, is said to taste the same as usual blackcurrants. The fruit bushes need cold weather in the winter in order to bear fruit in summer, putting them at risk in warming winters that are occurring due to climate change.

Some 75,000 bushes of the new variety of blackcurrant, named Ben Lawers, are fruiting for the first time this year after 20 years of research, scientists said

Blackcurrants are a £10million crop grown by farmers across the UK from Somerset to Dundee, with more than 10,000 tons harvested in July and August each year. Lucozade Ribena Suntory has invested more than £10million in the project, including £500,000 towards climate change research, which began 20 years ago. 

The company’s Harriet Prosser said: ‘Harvest is always the most exciting time of the year but this time around it promises to be doubly rewarding.

‘This year’s weather has demonstrated why we need to be on the front foot in adapting to a changing climate.’

Embargoed to 0001 Friday July 17 Undated handout photo issued by Lucozade Ribena Suntory and the James Hutton Institute of the first crop of UK blackcurrants bred to cope with the impact of warmer winters brought on by climate change being harvested. PA Photo. Issue date: Friday July 17, 2020. Some 75,000 bushes of the new variety of blackcurrant, named Ben Lawers, are fruiting for the first time this year in the culmination of 20 years of research, the team behind the initiative said. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Blackcurrants. Photo credit should read: Lucozade Ribena Suntory/James Hutton Institute/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Blackcurrants are a £10million crop grown by farmers across the UK from Somerset to Dundee

Dr Dorota Jarret, a soft fruit breeder at the James Hutton Institute’s commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Ltd, said: ‘We are delighted to see the first commercial crop of Ben Lawers this year.

‘Hopefully this cultivar will pioneer innovation in the climate-resilient crop category, deliver exceptional quality and make the way for further climate-resilient cultivars that are currently on trials at the James Hutton Institute thanks to Lucozade Ribena Suntory’s recent investment.’

Lucozade Ribena Suntory said farmers who work with the company are required to put in action plans to support wildlife on their farms, and they leave the bushes unnetted to allow birds to eat some of the blackcurrants.