Blackleg and Brexit Highlighted at AHDB Industry Event
AHDB Potatoes will use this year’s Seed Industry Event, November 3, to review the industry’s current approach to controlling blackleg, but the conference will also provide growers with an insight into the potential impact of Brexit, and scope out the potato market, both at home and abroad.
The slight increase in thebacterial disease blackleg has seen it rise up the industry agenda, however the Scottish seed sector has always been quick to respond to any health challenges.
Rob Clayton, AHDB Potatoes sector strategy director, says: “At this year’s event we plan to identify known best practice measures and separate them into those that are widely used and those that remain largely unadopted. Once we have identified those that are not being used, we need to find out what is preventing their uptake.”
Two areas of blackleg research will also be highlighted in two workshops devoted to the disease. A study carried out by the James Hutton Institute, jointly funded by AHDB and the Scottish Government, assessed the routes of contamination in high-grade seed. The second project – a partnership between SASA and AHDB – investigated social changes and industry practices that could be contributing to a rise in blackleg.
Another issue at the forefront of many minds is Brexit. Peter Hardwick, Head of Exports at AHDB, will outline the potential post Brexit scenarios and look at the opportunities and threats they present in terms international trade.
He says: “While the post-Brexit environment is likely to be challenging for all our agricultural sectors, the tremendous progress that has been made in the seed potato industry to develop and build non-EU trade will make it more resilient to a situation which may not include free trade within a single market.”
In the afternoon, there will be three sessions dedicated to potato markets. AHDB Senior Market Analyst Rebecca Hughes will focus on consumer markets, highlighting key trends while Victor Phaff, secretary of N-W Europe potato group (NEPG) will give a general market overview focusing on prices, costs and opportunities. Finally, challenges in developed and developing markets will be covered by Rufus Pilgrim, commercial director, R S Cockerills.
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