GB Potatoes Calls for New Members

GB Potatoes, the new industry body which aims to represent the views of the potato sector and champion British produce, is calling for more growers and processors to join the not-for-profit organization.

After the demise of the AHDB potato levy board, which left the industry without representation, GB Potatoes offers a unique opportunity to unite the potato sector with a meaningful and focused voice.

Its key objective is to engage with growers, government, media, researchers and other supply chain stakeholders to secure a viable future for UK potato production, explains Mark Taylor, chairman of the initiative.

He notes the potato industry is going through severely challenging times, which is why membership is priced at a fraction of the previous levy.

“We’ve deliberately pitched membership low at just 22% of the mandatory AHDB levy to encourage signup and get the support we need to get us going,” he says.

Membership fees are priced at £10/ha for growers and 10p/t for packers and processors. Companies associated with the sector are encouraged to join as associate members.

GB Potatoes has set its target membership at 50% of the UK potato area with a further 50% of the tonnage of processors and packers signed up.

Lobby Government

One of the initiative’s priorities is to lobby government and influence regulatory policy, as the voice for the potato sector when dealing with policymakers.

The organization will be a single point of contact for government, aiming to develop a robust and meaningful UK food strategy that recognizes the importance of British potatoes.

“By engaging with Defra, this can better inform policy-making and raise awareness on the impacts of diminishing productivity and self-sufficiency specific to the potato crop,” he says.

“Each part of the supply chain needs to be properly rewarded for the risk it takes,” continues Mark, who is already in contact with Defra Minister, Mark Spencer to organize a sector meeting.

Champion Potatoes

GB Potatoes aims to champion the UK potato industry at every opportunity. “The UK potato sector is worth £4bn at retail level and we want potatoes to be the carbohydrate of first choice, with UK consumers eating UK potatoes.”

Among other programs, GB Potatoes will continue to lobby to end the potato seed trade ban between the UK and EU. Prior to Brexit, about 25,000t of potatoes were traded to and from Europe, but this has since been halted.

The UK import restrictions primarily affect English ware growers, while the export ban primarily affects Scottish seed growers.

Two-way trade of different varieties aimed at specific markets is essential to exploit optimum genetics, resistance and tolerance traits. Breeding will play a big part in future integrated pest management approaches, which is why lifting the seed trade ban is so important, says Mr Taylor.