Scottish growers consulted on future services

SCOTTISH potato growers are being surveyed ahead of the AHDB wind-down to establish which services are most valued by them.

The survey is being conducted by NFU Scotland (NFUS) and the Scottish Society of Crop Research (SSCR) after a number of concerns were raised about the loss of key AHDB Potatoes functions after the recent grower ballot on the continuation of the AHDB levy (see links to previous Potato Review articles below).

NFUS says the survey results will not result in a new version of AHDB being formed, but will enable more informed discussions to take place between the UK Government and members of the industry going forward, while ensuring the valued functions can still be carried out and establishing how these should be carried out and funded.

Growers were urged to take part in the survey by NFU Scotland’s Potatoes Working Group Chairman, Mike Wilson, who said: “We need to look forward to the future to protect, maintain and improve our brilliant potato industry without the AHDB having a role in that. There is also an opportunity to feed in any other suggestions that those interested in the wellbeing of the Scottish potato sector may have.  We encourage you to complete this to let us know what you want going forward into a very promising potato growing future.”

Growers wishing to take part in the survey can do so here. The survey will be open for three weeks, and will close at noon on June 25th. Those with queries about the survey should contact David Michie.

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