GB Potatoes has formally joined Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd (HCP), taking a leading role in supporting access to vital crop protection tools for the British seed potato industry. The move, enabled by a grant from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) using remaining Potato Levy funds, is seen as a critical measure to address mounting regulatory and technical hurdles facing seed growers.

HCP was established by the UK horticultural sector to manage the application process for Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) and Emergency Authorisation (EA) of plant protection products (PPPs). These applications, submitted to the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), are often costly and complex, placing them beyond the reach of individual growers.

Once approved, such authorisations make the products accessible to all growers of that crop — delivering broad benefit across the sector.

As part of its collaboration with HCP, GB Potatoes will assume the role of secretariat for a newly created Technical Working Group, composed of agronomists, seed producers, and representatives from industry bodies. This group will prioritise the plant protection needs of the seed potato sector and coordinate technical assessments with HCP.

A central element of the group’s work will be the development and maintenance of a Potato Risk Register, a document identifying the most pressing pest, disease, and weed threats, and mapping current gaps in approved PPPs. Drawing on HCP’s regulatory expertise, the working group will evaluate which products are most likely to secure authorisation and align its strategy accordingly.

Regular meetings of the group will aim to ensure that applications for EAMU and EA are informed by clear agronomic priorities and industry demand. This intelligence will also guide dialogue with agrochemical companies, who will be encouraged to propose existing or pipeline solutions where they align with sector needs.

The initiative underscores the critical role of high-grade seed production in the broader UK potato industry. The health and quality of seed potatoes underpin the efficiency, disease resistance, and overall yield of the ware crop — making access to effective crop protection solutions a foundation of national supply chain resilience.