Following the signing of a grant agreement between AHDB and GB Potatoes, the potato industry will benefit from the implementation of seven industry projects financed by residual levy reserves.

The major potato membership organizations have backed the decision, which was made by the AHDB board earlier this year and officially approved when the sector’s levy-payer operations were shut down.

“Following the wind-up of AHDB Potatoes, the sector has continued to face several serious challenges, including threats from disease and the ongoing issue of access to necessary plant protection products. This grant will kickstart new initiatives and galvanize existing projects that have previously operated on an annual, uncertain basis. It offers a foundation to transform key industry projects and develop a sustainable, industry-funded model for initiatives that are critical to the future of the potato sector. We are delighted that GB Potatoes has successfully secured the residual levy funds through a grant from AHDB to support projects for the benefit of the entire potato industry. It is a fantastic opportunity for the potato industry to now take control of its future and influence the direction of the sector by addressing industry obstacles and building resilience,” Scott Walker, GB Potatoes Chief Executive, mentioned.

“The potato sector is a vital part of UK agriculture, and we are pleased to be able to support growers and the wider industry by releasing these residual funds for projects that will significantly contribute to the industry’s success,” AHDB CEO, Graham Wilkinson, added.

The seven proposed projects are:

– Potato Blight Project – addressing the significant threat of potato blight, by monitoring genetic changes and fungicide sensitivity;
– Aphid-Monitoring Project – supports national aphid monitoring, providing industry-wide data for decision-making;
– Management Tools to Tackle Viruses Project – this project proposes joining Horticulture Crop Protection (HCP) on behalf of the seed sector to access essential functions for sustaining high-grade seed production;
– Reputational Management Project – safeguarding the industry’s reputation through strategic monitoring, proactive crisis management, centralized coordination, influencer engagement, and media outreach;
– Bridging Information Gap Project – provision of transparent and reliable data on potato cultivation, varieties, and national yield;
– CIPC Residue Monitoring Project – to support the industry by providing data to the Chemical Regulation Division (CRD) to assess chlorpropham (CIPC) residues in stores. Failure to submit data risks rendering stores with a CIPC history unusable;
– Updating Nutrient Management (RB209) Project – with the industry always looking to move forward and adopt new practices there is a need to ensure revisions of fertilizer recommendations reflect current technologies.

The money will come from the approximately GBP1.8m in potato reserves that AHDB has had since the levy payer operations were shut down, of which GBP400,000 is set aside to address any possible remaining liabilities. Over three to five years, the grant will be reduced annually as GB Potatoes expands its supply of industry-sponsored voluntary support. Over the first three years, GBP1,371,880 will be included.

A successful review and the availability of enough potato funds from monies set aside from residual liabilities are prerequisites for the award for years four and five, which could total GBP426,238.

The British Potato Trade Association, the Fresh Potato Supplier Association, the Potato Processors’ Association, NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru, and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) all sent letters of support for the funding of the seven initiatives.