British seed growers are being asked to share their feedback on potential changes to the scope of the Safe Haven Standards, the seed potato assurance scheme run by Red Tractor.
The standards promote best practice in key areas of seed production to protect the industry against incursions of bacterial ring rot or Dickeya.
The review will consider whether the current standards are fit for purpose, as well as identifying potential new areas to bring into the scheme. Seed growers will be able to share their views on the standards using an online questionnaire (hosted on the AHDB website) from the 7th December to 7th February.
Vicky Smith, Technical Manager for Red Tractor, explains: “At Red Tractor all our assurance schemes are reviewed regularly to ensure they offer the best possible protection for growers.
“With Brexit approaching and with it potential changes to our trading relationships this seemed the ideal time to consider the current remit of the Safe Haven scheme and whether we can strengthen it further, both in terms of the protection if offers from diseases, but also in enhancing the reputation of British seed.”
Full report on Farmers Guide. The questionnaire can be accessed here.