Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW NOVEMBER 2021 13 NEWS FOCUS and trials evaluating new varieties (or the adoption of old ones like Russet Burbank from the US), the development of diagnostic testing and the assessment of novel sprout suppressants (including carvone and DMN). Development of refrigeration and atmospheric control were areas of focus. The end of the PMB saw the sell-off of the packhouse in 1996 and, under the new British Potato Council, the introduction of ISO9001 quality accreditation to support the start-up of private contract research at the site, by then called Sutton Bridge Experimental Unit. The BPC years The BPC era started slowly with a cutback in resources but with the expansion of external work, increased collaboration and the adoption of ORETO accreditation for chemical testing, the work programme grew and the commercial relevance thrived. Major work in the late 1990s and early in the new millennium focused on black dot control for better quality in the fresh sector and an improved understanding of fungal populations affecting seed and ware. The period also saw a move away from ‘old school’ chemistry to look for better ways to use the chemical portfolio more efficiently and effectively. In this regard CIPC was a major challenge. Sutton Bridge was trying to develop ways to use less chemical for longer and a series of trials with Glasgow University proved valuable to support the industry’s move into stewardship. In 2014, in its 50th year, SBCSR got another new name and launched the ‘Storage 2020’ programme with a major international storage conference at Peterborough Arena, with the knowledge exchange initiative looking to enhance the standard of GB storage by the end of the last decade. The widespread adoption of affordable inverter technology greatly facilitated this and was a boon in reducing reliance on CIPC as active recirculation became the ‘norm’ for application of sprout suppressant before its demise in 2020. A major AHDB levy-funded research programme was the focus of work at SBCSR for the last four seasons to support the industry transition to storage using other solutions and formed the core of a second European Association for Potato Research post-harvest section meeting organised by the team in 2019 (the first was back in 2007). Legacy arrangements While closure plans were initiated before the recent AHDB levy ballot outcome was known, it had inevitably had a further impact on future funding possibilities, according to AHDB Potatoes’ Strategy Director Rob Clayton. “Based on the outcome of the levy payer vote in March 2021, although disappointing, an inevitable consequence of the loss of levy income is the progression of the winding down of activity across AHDB Potatoes,” he said. “As previously announced, this unfortunately includes the closure of Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research (SBCSR), and AHDB has now started decommissioning that will bring about the site’s closure in December 2021, leading to the sale of the site, on the open market, with proceeds returned to levy funds.” He added: “The people on site are working with colleagues across AHDB to ensure the research work, historic data and the many achievements of the Sutton Bridge team are captured within the winding down process and remain accessible long into the future, to ensure the legacy lives on.” The recent sprout suppression research programme will feature heavily on the AHDB’s legacy website as the industry continues to find its way using those new solutions. The legacy will also feature long-term stalwarts like the Potato Store Managers’ Guide ( first published in 2001) and spin- offs such as the more recent Seed Storage Guide as well as access to the most recent webinars and presentations from SBCSR’s research and knowledge exchange team. “This transfer of legacywork and sitewind-down will, sadly, alsomean that the teamat SBCSR will leave at the end of year.We are very grateful for the continued support andprofessionalism shownbyAdrianCunnington and thewhole teamat SuttonBridge, several of whomhave many years’ service at the site,” Rob said. Anyonewith an interest in the site’s future, or with further questions, is encouraged to contact Rob via email at rob.clayton@ahdb.org.uk . “The people on site are working with colleagues across AHDB to ensure the research work, historic data and the many achievements of the Sutton Bridge team are captured within the winding down process and remain accessible long into the future, to ensure the legacy lives on.” Rob Clayton, AHDB Potatoes’ Strategy Director Inside the hangar at the Sutton Bridge facility