The British Potato Council (BPC) should use its latest review, to be announced shortly by Defra, as an opportunity to discuss its future strategy with growers and other levy-funded organisations, according to the National Farmers Union.

Defra is due to launch a consultation, and a poll of levy-payers on the future of the BPC. It will offer growers the opportunity to respond to the consultation document, posted on the Defra website, on each point of the BPC’s remit. In the poll, growers will be asked directly if they support the continuation of a levy-funded development council for potatoes.

The NFU has already consulted extensively on the views of its members regarding the level of support for various aspects of the BPC’s remit.

Graham Nichols, NFU board for horticulture, vice chairman for potatoes, said: “According to our research, growers have expressed widely differing views on the ideal format for a potato industry development council. The most consistent response has been in support of research and development. There is some positive support for the current direction of BPC promotional activity but, market information generates divided views, particularly on in-season reporting of statistics and prices.

“The BPC needs to re-establish the confidence of the potato industry by acting on the changes members have requested. We need a slimmed-down version of the BPC doing carefully targeted promotion, crop research and development and providing limited but accurate statistics on the production and use of potatoes. Furthermore there are concerns that levy collection costs are high. The BPC needs to consider alternative methods of collection.”

The NFU, in principle, supports the continuation of a statutory development council for the potato industry. However, to merit the continuing support of growers the NFU believes the BPC should immediately address the concerns expressed by growers and make changes in response.

The NFU also warns the Haskins review of all levy boards will be taking place in the next 15 months. NFU potato growers will need better understanding of the future direction of the BPC when giving evidence to this review.

Topics