Call for shake-up of AHDB after national consultation
A major shake-up of overall of strategy, better communication with levy payers on how their money is spent, an industry-wide ballot on the direction of travel every five years and a review of the current governance structures.
These were amongst a number of significant changes which the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AH DB) has pledged to make in the wake of criticism of the organisation’s performance in a recent national consultation.
The move adopts a series of recommendations made by the government in its response to the “Request for Views” into the working soft he organisation which was established in 2008 to help producers improve farm performance and to make a better job of marketing their goods.
Also included are commitment store view the levy system for potatoes and horticulture, and to streamlining the AHDB’S board and committee structures with a view to reducing its operating costs.
While the consultation saw a majority of respondents in favour of the continuation of levy funded activities, overall only 43 p er
cent stating that they had a positive view of the current arrangements, while 32 per cent had an overall negative view – with the dairy and potato sectors holding a particularly negative view, while the cereals and oilseed sector was more positive.
“We have listened carefully to the views expressed by levy payers in response to the government-led Request for Views,” said the organisation’ s chair, Nicholas Sap hir ,“and we are now committed to some key reforms to ensure we are fit for purpose in the changing times British agriculture is facing,”
Saphir, who was appointed in April 2020, underlined the importance of AH DB’ s new five-year strategy, which will focus on market development and farm performance and will be published for feedback this autumn.
He said that building on the network of popular Monitor and Strategic farms, opening up new exp or t markets, promo - tion of products at home and overseas, research work and market insight, evidence and analysis would also remain key areas.
“Our industry is about to undergo significant change driven by a new direction in trade and agriculture policies, as well as shifting consumer demands ,” he said .“Farming and supply chain businesses will need to compete with thebes tin the world, drawing on the latest insight to improve farm performance, grow market opportunities and meet environmental goals.
“This is a piece of work which has been in train for some time, and we are very aware of the current strength of feeling in these sectors. We are working with growers to see how we can design a more modern system,” said Saphir.
Commenting on the reforms which had been called for to the current structure of AHDB boards and committees, which has been in place since the organisation was founded in 2008 he said that an independent review of governance was already being carried out - and a report with recommendations for change would be produced by the end of 2020.