The AHDB has announced a “managed wind-down” of its potatoes and horticulture work following industry votes to end statutory levies in the sectors – but growers will still have to fund the organisation during 2021-22, writes Nancy Nicolson in a news story for The Courier.
A ministerial decision, expected this summer, will conclusively decide the future of the AHDB’s potato and horticulture activities after ballots earlier this year.
Funding will be provided for current research programmes to the end of contracts, and 42 of these contracts will end by March 2022. Otherwise all other activities for potatoes and horticulture during 2021-22 will be stopped at appropriate points in the growing season. All new potato storage research at Sutton Bridge will stop, with a limited knowledge exchange service available until the end of May 2022.
Meanwhile AHDB is in discussion with Defra, the devolved administrations, industry and levy payers about the possible transition of services to other providers, and interested companies, organisations or industry groups who are interested on taking on this work are asked to register their interest by emailing strategy director, Rob Clayton at rob.clayton@ahdb.org.uk
Source: The Courier. Full story here
AHDB release here
