Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW JULY/AUGUST 2021 15 EVENTS: POTATOES IN PRACTICE P OTATOES in Practice , the UK’s largest eld event for potatoes and a highlight in the industry calendar, will return in August 2021, albeit with a slightly di erent format to allow for social distancing. Supported by event partners James Hutton Institute, Agrii UK, AHDB and SRUC, the event brings together variety demonstrations, research and trade exhibits in one place, with a focus on new varieties. It will take place at Balruddery Farm, Angus, Dundee DD2 5LJ, on August 12th. e 2020 had to be cancelled because of uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Organisers felt that unless demo plots were selected and planted in good time, there could be no eld event even if restrictions were due to be lifted last summer. e need to work around likely or possible limitations on indoor spaces will result in a Potatoes in Practice having a slightly di erent appearance, focussing on exhibitor small spaces from which to interact with visitors, organisers have said. ere will be no seminars this year. Instead it will be all about the plots, and eld exhibits where the trade can interact and reconnect to discuss new varieties, IPM and the challenges of the trading environment in a COVID-safe environment. It will also be the rst Potatoes in Practice event for many years without the active participation and support of AHDB Potatoes. Following the levy payers’ recent ‘No’ vote, the organisation is being wound down. PIP organisers say this will present opportunities and challenges for the industry Potatoes in Practice Unmissable date in UK potato calendar returns after a year away. in the coming years, while the event will be a key forum for the discussion of key topics about the technical and business realities. Brexit, COVID and ballot challenges Archie Gibson, Executive Director of Agrico UK Ltd and former Chairman of the Food and Drink Federation of Scotland, said: “As the Brexit deadline approached at the end of December 2020, little did the trade imagine that in the nal throw of the dice the seed potato industry in the UK would be cast adrift by the European Commission without the possibility of exporting to EU member states from January 1st 2021. is, despite the promise of an FTA and the UK Government’s position approving a derogation to allow the import of EU certi ed seed until June 30th 2021. “Growers, merchants and breeders all recognised the possibility of border delays and additional documentation, so set about exporting seed lots to European customers ahead of the deadline. Despite signi cant challenges around access to hauliers and reefer containers brought on by the combination of Brexit and COVID, most trades were successfully completed. “But what of the future? e AHDB Potatoes ‘No’ vote has exposed vulnerabilities and Potatoes in Practice represents a golden opportunity for the industry to come together to discuss some of the issues and how to resolve them. “Under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), potato production was unsupported, with much critical research being funded from the potato levy. For the industry to remain resilient and for food security to be assured, all the stakeholders - industry, governments and main research providers -need to agree newways of collaborating and funding vital work, to secure the future of the sector. “ e potato industry makes a signi cant economic contribution to the balance of trade through certi ed seed exports while ware production underpins the fresh produce category at retail with processing crops vital to a dynamic and innovative processing industry.” e cancellation of Potatoes in Practice 2020 was a considerable loss to the sector in terms of seeing what’s new, networking with colleagues and contacts and catching up with friends in the trade, so it’s felt there will be even more to see, catch up on and talk about at this year’s event. For more details and to book a place at the event, please email pip.hutton.ac.uk. A drone image of the last event in 2019. Machinery demonstrations at the 2018 event. This year’s event will be all about the plots, and field exhibits.