The mission of this new organisation is to bring the whole GB potato industry together and work with existing trade associations and industry bodies as a collective group to promote our sector鈥檚 interests.
The body says that the industry needs a less bureaucratic, more inclusive, and more appropriately funded successor to the AHDB that gains engagement across industry and determines what future structures and priorities are required.聽
They sought the views and opinions of as many stakeholders as possible from across GB potatoes to gain support and define 鈥渨hat should come next?鈥�.
Crucial gaps
NFU Potato Forum Chair Tim Rooke said: 鈥淭here have been crucial gaps left in the industry since the demise of AHDB Potatoes, such as a dedicated, sector-specific voice for the broader industry and the coordination of research and development projects, and growers have been left questioning how these will be filled.
鈥淪ome growers will therefore welcome this voluntary initiative to help address some of these gaps at this time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty.鈥�
鈥淲hilst recognising different views from across the industry, I strongly encourage everyone to engage and get involved. The great British potato needs to be championed!鈥�
Inaugural Chair of GB Potatoes Mark Taylor聽
GB Potatoes has the ambition to bring together all corners of the potato supply chain to collaborate and benefit from cross-industry working and will be based around a voluntary levy.
Mark Taylor has taken up the role of inaugural Chair of the organisation. He said: 鈥淥ur launch couldn鈥檛 come at a more important time for the GB Potato Industry. Working as a collective group must be the way forward if we are to both understand, and then work through the current turbulent times.鈥�
Championing the great British potato
Mark Taylor went on to explain: 鈥淲hilst recognising different views from across the industry, I strongly encourage everyone to engage and get involved. The great British potato needs to be championed!鈥�
For more information on the organisation, please visit the website or alternatively email [email protected].