Potato Review

NEWS Final levy invoices mailed out FINAL invoices for the 2021 AHDB Potato Levy have been sent out to growers and a cash injection of £0.6 million from Defra is to help underwrite the shortfall remaining in wind-up costs. A letter sent on behalf of Finance Director Naveen Gupta acknowledged the ballot of potato levy payers earlier this year and its subsequent communication with government ministers, and confirms the decision to wind down statutory levy-funded potato operations. The potato grower levy rate for this year is £42.62 per hectare, the same as it was in 2020. Funds collected, together with sector reserves, will be used to cover the costs of winding-down all levy-payer activity in the potato sector, AHDB states. The remaining levy payments will be used to complete research and storage programmes in which £4 million and £0.6 million had already been invested, as well as covering the costs of lease commitments, sta redundancies and the closure of the Sutton Bridge potato storage facility. “For AHDB Potatoes it will cost in total around £7.4 million to meet all the liabilities through the planned transition of activities and the wind- down process,” the letter states. AHDB Potato reserves at March 31st were £1.2 million (subject to audit) and the 2021/22 levy rate is expected to raise £5.6 million. Excess funds at the end of the wind-down process will be held for up to six years to fund “residual potato liabilities”. When questioned over what residual liabilities might entail, and whether any leftover would be re-distributed among growers, an AHDB spokesman said: “Residual liabilities could be any potential claims or litigations against AHDB Potatoes that arise post-wind down, eg relating to contracts, services, published information, copyright etc. The wind-down budget is currently running on track, if this continues there should be negligible funds remaining at the end of the process.” Interim Potato Sector Board Chair Alison Levett appealed for understanding from growers. “I know that many of you feel frustrated that having voted to stop the levy that you are still being asked to pay one this year. However, I would ask you to recognise that we cannot simply abandon our contractual liabilities or not honour legal redundancy processes,” she said. The 2021 Potato Planting Return Form can be completed on the online levy returns portal: https://levyportal. ahdb.org.uk/ before March. Campaigners against the compulsory levy have said growers should not still be charged a levy for the 2021/22 financial year. Grower Peter Thorold said: “The administration associated with closing the sector is essentially a desktop operation and the reserves the organisation holds should be used to cover such eventualities. The vote clearly showed that most growers no longer wish to pay the levy, and the likelihood is that some, if not most, may simply refuse to pay.” www.grimme.co.uk WEBS • Hydraulically driven, speed adjustable and reversible webs minimise blockages with easy clearance from the cab HAULM EXTRACTION • Hydraulically driven, speed adjustable and reversible haulm rollers TIGHT TURNING CIRCLE • Large drive wheels reduce compaction and give a tight turning circle • Telescoping front axle for reduced transport width and in-field stability • Terra Trac Option available SEPARATION • Gentle, thorough cleaning with RS / Multi-Sep or Double Multi-Sep OR Fine Haulm Elevator in conjunction with single RS or Multi-Sep RING ELEVATOR • Handles up to 200 tonnes per hr – 30% more than comparable harvesters • Optibag provides additional cleaning NON-STOP BUNKER (7 TONNES) • Reversible bunker floor for non-stop digging • Ideal for bulk trailers AND boxes ENGINE • Mercedes Benz 460HP engine (Stage V) with Automotive Drive for economy on the road and increased power in the field • Sub 30l/hr fuel consumption r li l ri , j t l r r i l i i i l it l r fr t I r li l ri , j t l r r i l l r l r I I I r ri l r i t t r i ir l l i fr t l f r r tr rt i t i - l t ilit r r il l I tl , t r l i it l - r l l - i l l t r i j it i l r l - I l t t r r r t r l r t r r i i l l i - ( ) r i l r r f r - t i i I l f r l tr il r I r i ( t ) it t ri f r t r i r r i t l l r f l