Potato sector facing challenges

The continuing uncertainty over Brexit and the challenges facing conventional pesticides will be among the key topics on the agenda at this year’s Scottish potato industry conference.

Organised by SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College, Back to the Future for Potatoes will be held at Perth Racecourse on 31 January.

The full-day programme includes expert speakers, practical advice, workshops and discussions on the key issues facing the industry.

Innes Jessiman, senior potato consultant at SAC Consulting, will set the scene by looking back at the last year of production and then forwards to the new season.

David King, head of technical systems at Syngenta UK, will discuss current challenges and opportunities in crop protection while Martin Kennedy, vice-president of NFU Scotland, will give his views on adapting to change in light of Brexit.

The afternoon workshops will look at tackling the “ticking time bomb” of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) and how opportunities for seed and ware export of potatoes can be improved.

SRUC’S Dr Stuart Wale, conference organiser and potato industry expert, said: “Back to the Future for Potatoes is the perfect opportunity for members of the industry to gather and hear specialist advice from across the sector.