AHDB's Comments Show Growers Vote Will Be Honored

Growers opposed to the continuation of a compulsory levy to fund AHDB Horticulture have welcomed comments made by Environment Secretary George Eustice that the clear vote to abolish the levy will be honored. Eustice, speaking at the annual National Farmers’ Union online conference, said, “We will be taking a swift decision on the AHDB ballot and saying a bit more about this in the coming weeks.” He continued, “It is pretty clear there is a very straight result. Some of the larger horticultural producers were more supportive of maintaining the current turnover levy, but there was a clear majority against, so we will respect the outcome of that ballot.”

He also said that once the current vote on the continuation of the statutory levy on the potato sector had been completed, he would be discussing a timetable for the other sectors represented by AHDB.

Vegetable and potato grower John Bratley added: “We have always said that growers must not be forced to pay the levy, and that it amounts to unfair taxation without representation. Although the majority of growers clearly feel they gain no benefit from AHDB, those who do feel it provides them with something are free to continue to support it, but that minority should not be able to force the majority of grower businesses to pay for it. Given the comments made by some interested parties over the last two weeks, it is refreshing to hear George Eustice give such a clear and unequivocal statement.”