Neil Bragg has been named as chair designate of the new horticulture levy board.
Following Defra’s recent announcement of the 14 individuals who will represent the industry within the revamped levy structure, Bragg’s name completes the linup that will seek to get horticulture’s voice across in the new unified structure.
Bragg is currently chairman of the British Ornamental Plant Producers and a director of Stockbridge Research Foundation, however it is expected that he will give up his role at BOPP and possibly that at Stockbridge due to a conflict of interest with the organisations receiving HDC funding.
The full appointment as levy chair is for four years, officially from April 1 2008 when the new structure comes into operation. The initial commitment is 72 days per year, claiming a salary of £300 per day.
Bragg began his career at MAFF in Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire, before relocating to Cambridge to the Field Drainage Experimental Unit. He later moved to ADAS Soil Science, becoming part of the national Horticultural Specialist Group.
In 1991 he joined Bulrush Peat Co, later being appointed as a director of Bulrush Horticulture, with responsibility for product development. He has also been chairman of the Bedding and Pot Plant Association Technical Committee.
Bragg held an initial meeting with overall Levy Board UK chairman John Bridge, where a range of topics were discussed. It is expected that the newly appointed horticulture board will meet for the first time in September.
Bragg told Commercial Grower that growers could be assured that R&D and science would continue to be high up the agenda, but that it would be key that technology transfer brings economic value back to the industry.
He explained that he will be looking to engage with as many industry figures as possible to gauge their thoughts and begin the process of formulating a strategy.
He also stressed that there were positives that could be gleaned from other agricultural sectors, and several obvious synergies that could be drawn.
Bragg also rejected any suggestion that the ornamental sector is overrepresented on the new board, insisting that it is well balanced and that the interests and concerns of every crop sector would be heard.
Bragg’s appointment has been met with approval with both the HTA and NFU. HTA director general David Gwyther said: “I’m pleased that someone with an ornamental background is taking the chair and together with the other representatives it gives ornamentals a very good shout. We’ve known Neil for a long time and look forward to working with him and giving him all the help he may need in fighting the cause of horticulture at Levy Board UK level.”
NFU Board for Horticulture chairman Richard Hirst, himself a member of the new board, wrote in the union’s weekly newsletter: “This is a welcome appointment. The NFU has long experience of working with Neil, via the British Protected Ornamentals Association, and will look to build on this good relationship going forward.”
