A group of 36 businesses from the potato and horticulture sector is putting pressure on Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs – GOV.UK) to sanction an alternative body, to replace some of the functions carried out by AHDB.

The group, known as the Growers’ Better Levy Group (GBLG), met Defra farming minister Victoria Prentis this week to press their case for a new grower-managed research agency, according to FWI.

Members want Defra to allow both a small statutory levy to fund critical research work in the fruit, vegetable, mushroom and potato sectors, and a larger voluntary levy to pay for other programs of work. The group is also hoping to pave the way for knowledge exchange and extension services.

The move comes in the wake of two grower ballots – one in the horticulture sector last autumn and one in the potato sector earlier this year – which both resulted in strong support to end the existing statutory levies, which pay for such things as R&D, market intelligence and market promotion.

Last week the AHDB announced that it was winding down its horticulture and potato activities, saving about GBP6m from its cost base.

And, even though an official announcement from the government about the future of the levies is still awaited, Defra secretary George Eustice has made clear he intends to respect the outcome of the two ballots.

“We can confirm the horticultural levy will continue for this financial year,” said a Defra spokesperson. “Later this year, we will be bringing forward the legislation needed to remove the current levy – and we are working across government and with farmers, processors and the AHDB on the options for the future of the services currently being funded through the levy, to ensure continued stimulation and innovation of the sector.”