Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MAY/JUNE 2021 11 BP2021 S CARCELY had BP2019 closed when reports began emerging of a strange illness in Wuhan, China. Within months, Britain was locked down and face-to-face gatherings, including the agrifood show programme, were decimated. So, it’s perhaps not surprising there’s now widespread anticipation for BP2021 in Harrogate this November. “When we surveyed growers and exhibitors a few months back we got a very clear, almost unanimous, instruction to carry on planning,” explained Show Director Steve Wellbeloved. “In fact, an especially succinct response from Peter Gresty of Agritec International – let’s crack on – aptly summarised the wider response. “ is, together with lockdown easing, success of the vaccine rollout and strong demand for stands and sponsorships, has certainly been encouraging,” says Wellbeloved. “At the same time, of course, we’re paying close attention to practical things that may be the new norm – enhanced ventilation and cleaning regimes, hand sanitiser points and so on.” BP2021 Anticipation building for timely British Potato Show Amongst this rise in support and sponsorship, automated machinery specialist Agrimech has joined longstanding gold sponsors Grimme and Branston. “We’ve been doing a great deal of digital communication, but the prolonged restrictions have really underlined the added value face-to-face interaction can deliver,” said Director Belinda Smith. “British Potato has always been a key event for us and we’re really looking forward to showcasing some of our newly developed products.” New machinery launches are also likely to be on the agenda for Grimme with marketing lead Adam Johnson explaining that the postponement of the giant Agritechnica show may mean BP2021 sees not just the British debut for new innovations, but their global unveiling. “We’re eld testing some exciting developments through this season, so if that goes well, we’ll build on our track record of coming to British Potato with a great deal to talk about.” A key talking point for Branston is likely to be sustainability – a timely topic given that BP2021 will be following hard on the heels of the huge and much vaunted UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) being hosted by the UK Government in Glasgow. “Sustainability has been a long-standing theme at the event for us and, this year, we expect it to really dominate as businesses large and small take up the mantle of making clear and measurable commitments to managing and reducing their environmental impacts,” predicts Commercial Director Richard Clark. “As a result, we’re expecting to be sharing some key sustainability initiatives we’re working on, including those within our direct scope and those we’re leading or supporting throughout our supply chain.” As usual, agronomic developments are also set to feature heavily at the whole- industry event. Among these, crop protection manufacturer BASF is increasing its footprint at the show on the strength of its potato product development pipeline over the coming ve years. “Registration progress permitting, this will start with some new early and late blight fungicides that we’ll look to showcase at BP2021 ready for the following season,” said Market Manager Matthew Goodson. e focus on agronomy will also be assisted by advisory specialist Agrii’s decision to have a major presence at the show, returning after a six-year break. Alongside the growing sense of anticipation amongst exhibitors, growers are also looking forward to the chance to catch up. “It was terri c to hear that planning is proceeding, as British Potato has always been one of my favourite shows and I thought the last event was the best yet,” said Andrew Lee of major East Anglian grower PJ Lee & Sons. “It’s rmly in our diary and we’re really looking forward to it, both to keep abreast of developments but also for the networking and social aspects which are very valuable.” As well as staying abreast of developments, the networking and social aspects of the show are very valuable according to grower Andrew Lee (right) pictured with Christopher Lee as the 2021 crop goes in. Face-to-face interaction has been much missed in recent times according to Agrimech which is upping its support for the show. Branston predicts sustainability is likely to be among the key topics of business discussions at the show.