British Potato Council must take grower's views on board
11/03/05

The NFU is calling on the British Potato Council (BPC) to address the concerns of growers following Defra's decision to support the levy body for a further five years.

Defra's decision follows a 12 week consultation involving levy payers and other interested parties, including the NFU.

In response to Defra's decision NFU board for horticulture, vice chairman for potatoes, Graham Nichols, said: "I welcome the Minister's decision and it is excellent to see that Defra have recognised many of the concerns raised by members in the NFU reply. The clarification of the extent of the BPC's remit is particularly constructive. It is vital that the BPC re-establishes the confidence of the potato industry by acting on the changes its members have requested during the 12-week consultation process.

It needs to develop carefully targeted promotional campaigns, conduct practical research and development projects and provide limited but accurate statistics on the production and use of potatoes. There are also concerns that the levy collection costs are currently too high and the NFU believes the BPC needs to consider alternative methods of collection."

The further 5-year term for the BPC is subject to any decisions made in Defra's upcoming review of all agricultural levy boards.

Addressing this, Mr Nichols, said: "The review of all levy boards, opens the way for the BPC to assess its relationship with them. The NFU wishes to work with the BPC to ensure that it enters the Levy Board Review in the best possible position."

* The British Potato Council was established in 1997 and undergoes regular reviews by Defra, its sponsoring department.

The BPC remit breaks down into four main areas of activity, and requires it to; commission research and development, carry out home market promotion, carry out export promotion and collect and disseminate statistical information.