Following the results of the AHDB horticulture vote this week, a ballot is now running for levy payers in the UK to vote on the whether the potato levy should continue. The ballot opens today and will run until the 17th March.
Lydia Turner reports for FarmBusiness that AHDB is appealing to voters to favour a yes result, emphasising the recent work they have done to help the British potato sector.
Alison Levett, potato sector board chair, said in the AHDB podcast episode released today “AHDB’s role is to ensure the sustainability and development of the potato industry. Without the service we provide[….] it could lead to market failure”.
She added: “We are very aware of the frustrations that some levy payers feel, about things like costs and value for money and I’d just like to flag that AHDB under Nicholas Saphir’s Chairmanship, has committed to major reforms and a big change programme, and a yes vote will enable us to carry on doing just that”.
With the industry facing uncertain trading conditions as we leave the European Union and due to the loss of available crop protection products, the ADHB stated that a result favouring yes will mean they “will continue to invest your levy where there is the strongest need for independent evidence, while keeping up the momentum on promotion as consumers return to potatoes as a staple food in times of recession”.
Source: FarmBusiness. Orginal report here
Photo: FarmBusiness