Potato Review

POTATO REVIEW SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 9 NEWS A GROWER’S ballot of levy-payers from the potato and horticulture sectors of the Agricultural & Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), which received a 33.6% response rate, reveals that 92% would like an immediate ballot on the organisation being funded by statutory levy. With 2020 being such a tough year for growers, 85% of respondents believe the levy should be halved for this year, with the shortfall funded from AHDB reserves. The ballot was organised by three Lincolnshire growers, known as the AHDB Petitioners, who collectively grow potatoes, vegetables and flowers with a combined turnover of £20 million. It was sent to 1,967 growers, although the petitioners claim more would have been targeted if the AHDB had supplied a full list of levy-payers to the independent polling company, Civica Election Services Ltd (CES). Responses were received from 585 levy payers. Organisers say the response was better than the Government’s own call for views in 2018 which received responses from less than 0.5% of levy-payers. Co-organiser Simon Redden said: “We are disappointed that the NFU did not agree with Defra’s recommendation for a five-yearly ballot on the future of AHDB and their enthusiasm for Defra’s heavil- flawed review. The NFU members who have voted in this ballot have provided a clear mandate for the NFU to reverse its previously held position.” Eighty per cent of growers balloted said they do not want to pay a statutory levy, although 57% would be prepared to support a voluntary levy scheme if applicable to their business. In addition, the ballot revealed that 70% of growers conduct their own research and development activity and 89% felt Peter Thorold Rob Clayton John Bratley the AHDB’s performance should be independently audited annually and the report published in full. Making commercial growers file an annual return when other famer sectors are not required to is seen as discrimination by 81%, while 79% believe failure to file an annual return should cease to be a criminal o¢ence and 73% of growers think that no levy should be paid on the first £125,000 of turnover. Potato producer John Bratley said that over the past 12 years, the statutory levy has extracted around £140 million from potato and horticulture growers. “With margins in these sectors under such pressure, and the government keen to forge a new future for all sectors of British farming, we look forward to discussing these findings with Defra Secretary of State George Eustice and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Victoria Prentis,” he said. The AHDB has said it works closely with growers as well as organisations like the NFU, NFUS and BTPA, creating and becoming involved with many initiatives to help growers further their businesses. Research into sprout suppression and alternatives to CIPC is the area that benefits most from levy funds. Rob Clayton said: “The AHDB Potato sector board is made up of growers, processors, merchants and is not complacent. It demands we work closely with key stakeholders, government, devolved administrations and specialist groups dedicated to exports, research, knowledge transfer and marketing to ensure the work undertaken meets the needs of levy payers. The sector board is well placed to oversee project implementation and performance and is charged with the responsibility to develop appropriate cost-e¢ective strategies.” He also said the Strategic Potato Farm events provide real value to growers. “Their focus on desiccation and virus management allow growers an interaction with researchers and agronomists at a real setting,” he said. The AHDB’s new five-year strategy will focus on improved communication with potato grower levy payers on how their money is spent. In response to the Government’s Request for Views, published earlier this year, AHDB Chair Nicholas Saphir has said a regular ballot will be held on the levy and how it is spent, while a review of the levy system for potatoes and horticulture, and a review of AHDB’s board and committee structure will all be implemented, going forward. For full details, visit https://bit.ly/2DqTe4f. ‘Ballot provides mandate for change’ claimorganisers