ADHB has pledged to transfer £1.8m worth of residual potato levy reserves to GB Potatoes, as part of an arrangement to finance seven new projects after AHDB Potatoes’ demise.

These new initiatives will encompass areas of high concern such as potato blight, aphid monitoring and nutrient management.

This will be financed from the residual levy reserves, attributed in 2022 after a grant agreement between the levy board and GB Potatoes.

The recommendation has been green lit by ADHB’s board after growers voted to end the statutory levy in 2021 which culminated with the winding down of AHDB Potatoes.

Scott Walker, chief executive of GB Potatoes hailed the move as a step forward to combatting the “number of serious challenges” potato growers currently face.

“This grant will kickstart new initiatives and galvanise existing projects that have previously operated on an annual, uncertain basis," Mr Walker said.

"It offers a foundation to transform key industry projects and develop a sustainable, industry funded model for initiatives that are critical to the future of the potato sector.

"We are delighted that GB Potatoes has successfully secured the residual levy funds through a grant from AHDB to support projects for the benefit of the entire potato industry.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for the potato industry to now take control of its future and influence the direction of the sector by addressing industry obstacles and building resilience.”

The funding will be transferred from reserves of £1.8m, controlled by AHDB since the stop on levy payer activities. With £400,000 to be kept covering any potential residual liabilities.

The money will be filtered over three to five years, decreasing yearly as GB Potatoes receives increased voluntary funding from the industry.

Letters of support for the funding of the projects were received from the NFU, NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru, the British Potato Trade Association, the Fresh Potato Supplier Association and the Potato Processor’s Association.

AHDB CEO Graham Wilkinson said: “We are pleased to be able to support growers and the wider industry by releasing these residual funds for projects that will significantly contribute to the industry’s success.”

The proposed projects are:

  • Potato Blight Project – addressing the significant threat of potato blight, by monitoring genetic changes and fungicide sensitivity.
  • Aphid Monitoring Project – supports national aphid monitoring, providing industry-wide data for decision-making.
  • Management Tools to tackle Viruses Project – this project proposes joining Horticulture Crop Protection (HCP) on behalf of the seed sector in order to access essential functions for sustaining high-grade seed production.
  • Reputational Management Project – safeguarding the industry's reputation through strategic monitoring, proactive crisis management, centralised coordination, influencer engagement, and media outreach.
  • Bridging Information Gap Project – provision of transparent and reliable data on potato cultivation, varieties, and national yield.
  • CIPC Residue Monitoring Project – to support the industry providing data to the Chemical Regulation Division (CRD) to assess chlorpropham (CIPC) residues in stores. Failure to submit data risks rendering stores with a CIPC history unusable.
  • Updating Nutrient Management (RB209) Project – with the industry always looking to move forward and adopt new practices there is a need to ensure revision of fertiliser recommendations reflect current technologies.