Growers are expressing their discontent with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), which only came into being on April 1.
The new board is a statutory levy-funded, non-departmental public body that serves with a mission to provide the sectors it governs within the UK with cost-effective, relevant services that support their long-term sustainability.
But tree-fruit growers in particular are not happy with changes that have seen the new board replace the Apple & Pear Research Council and the Horticulture Development Council (HDC) with regard to R&D provision.
Tree-fruit grower Clive Baxter told freshinfo: “For bigger growers, our costs under the new system will double. Under the previous system, our levy was calculated per hectare, but now it is calculated based on half a per cent of sales.”
Consultation before the new board was established was wide-ranging, but Baxter maintains that the wishes of UK stonefruit and top-fruit growers have been ignored. “But what we said as growers and what English Apples & Pears (EAP) and the relevant trade bodies said has just been ignored,” said Baxter. “Why have a consultation if you are not going to take any notice? We had a system that worked and we all said we wanted it to stay the same.”
In a statement to freshinfo, the AHDB said: “The AHDB, is aware and concerned at the feelings that exist amongst the apple and pear growers with regard to the change in the calculation of the levy. The AHDB chief executive, Kevin Roberts, recently addressed the EAP annual meeting on this topic and has given his categorical assurance that the position will be reviewed when the first year’s data has been collected. Only at that time will the facts be known.
“Neil Bragg, HDC chairman, is writing to AHDB chairman, John Bridge, and EAP chairman, Sir Ben Gill, to ensure that both are fully aware of the issues and progress to date on this topic.”
Adrian Barlow, chief executive of EAP, said: “EAP is extremely worried because all the concerns we expressed apart from the ring-fencing of the levy, [the AHDB] have decided to put to one side in determining the way forward. But we are in communication with them and we are pleased that they have agreed to review the situation in the event that growers are caused to pay considerably more than before.”
Baxter said growers in his sector are also disappointed that they have not received the same treatment as growers of other products. “It is not that we are against research and development,” said Baxter, pictured. “But for example, mushroom growers were also consulted and asked if they would change the way the levy is calculated as we were, but because their industry is suffering they were left alone; whereas because it was thought we were having a better year, Defra has changed the system for us.”
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