The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Growers’ main fears over UK leaving EU
AHDB will lead wider effort in research and innovation with long-term view
Plant health and the prospect of losing potato crop protection products are the prime concerns of British growers when the UK leaves the EU, according to the AHDB potatoes board chairwoman.
Dr Sophie Churchill told BP17, the potato sector’s ‘soil to shelf’ event in Harrogate, that the industry as a whole had to work together to ensure longterm sustainability and productivity, whatever the future crop protection scenario.
The concerns follow the loss of a number of seed treatments, herbicides and desiccants over the last decade.
She said: “We don’t know how the crop protection landscape will look postBrexit and, until we know the outcomes of trade negotiations, we are looking at a prolonged period of uncertainty.
“At the same time, we are aware of potential increased momentum to look for a sustainable future for crop protection in Britain.”
She added that AHDB was taking a long-term view on sustainability and productivity of the industry and would be leading a wider effort in research and innovation to ensure the next generation of crop protection products met these aims.
“We will be sharpening our focus on these issues throughout 2018,” she said.
“Growers will be able to access the latest thinking via our Farm Excellence Platform of on-farm events and through future Horizon reports.”
Will Shakeshaft of Spearhead Potatoes said sudden or unexpected changes connected to Brexit could leave growers without proven replacements for lost products.
“The consequence could be lost or lower-value crop, and it will be farmers who will be most affected,” he said.
AHDB manages 137 crop protection and plant health related research projects, with a combined spend of £4.92m across the potatoes, horticulture and cereals and oilseeds sectors.