NEWS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE SEED POTATO ORGANISATION

A group of seed potato growers are looking for industry feedback about the new Seed Potato Organisation (SPO) at the annual Potatoes in Practice event, being held at Balruddery Farm near Dundee on the 11 August.

The SPO is being set up by a group of growers, with technical back-up, to support and develop the seed potato sector.

Explaining the decision, Jonnie Martin, a grower from the Black Isle said: “The AHDB model was rejected by growers; having identified its failings, we now need to create an organisation specifically run by growers to benefit growers.”

The group behind SPO have been busy listening to growers’ views on what SPO should be, and what it should do, this summer. Recent meetings in the north and south of Scotland, and responses to its survey have reaffirmed the group’s commitment to setting up a body that represents seed potato growers.

They feedback so far is that a body is needed to provide seed potato representation to governments, support market development, and fund research services.

Aberdeenshire grower Colin Massie, who sits on the SPO steering committee said: “If seed growers don’t pull together to advance their own interests, then who else will?”

The committee has also gathered views on fees and are using this information to draft a budget and programme to meet growers’ priorities.

Membership of SPO will not just be for British seed growers. Potato supply chain organisations can also support the seed potato sector by becoming Associate Members, and ware growers are welcome to get involved.

At Potatoes in Practice on 11 August, the SPO steering committee will listen to the wider industry and meet any seed potato growers who have yet to share their views on the proposed organisation.

Members of the SPO will be in the seminar tent at Potatoes in Practice at 10.00am. They will also have a stand at the event and are keen to chat to as many people as possible.

As Rodney Harrison, a grower from Kincardineshire, explained: “We need to listen to people. If we do our own thing and don’t get growers and the wider industry on board, we’re on a hiding to nothing.”  

Notes for editors:

• Details on the Seed Potato Organisation can be found at https://seed-potato-organisation.mailchimpsites.com/
• Potatoes in Practice is an industry event for farmers, agronomists, industry, scientists and policymakers being held at the James Hutton Institute's Balruddery Farm, Dundee, on the 11 August 2022, from 8.30am to 4.30pm.  Details at: https://pip.hutton.ac.uk/ 
• Media are invited to attend the growers’ meeting in the seminar tent at Potatoes in Practice on the 11 August at 10.00am when more information will be made available.