DISGRUNTLED growers have banded together to petition for a ballot on the future of the potato and horticulture levy WITH THE levy-payer vote on the continued role of the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board now confirmed to take place in both the potato and horticultural sectors, growers have been urged to ‘make their vote count’. With the one levy payer, one vote system set to decide the fate of the AHDB’s ability to collect levies and conduct research and development, knowledge transfer, market analysis and promotion in the two sectors, a series of virtual ‘town hall’ meetings have been organised for early in the new year to help producers make an informed decision.
AHEAD OF the ballot on the future of the potato levy, AHDB will be highlighting itswork on behalf of growers and processors AHDB has formally announced that there will be a ballot on whether or not the statutory potato levy should continue. The yes or no vote on the future of the levy-funded body, AHDB Potatoes, and the work it does on behalf of growers and buyers will take place from mid-February, 2021, for four weeks. The confirmation comes after 8.5% of potatoes levy payers, or 176 potato growing or buying businesses, submitted valid requests for a ballot. Under statute, 5% of levy payers are needed to request a ballot for it to proceed.
Ballot on future of AHDB potato levy to take place in February
15 December 2020 |
176 potato growers and buyers submitted valid requests for a ballot, according to AHDB
A ballot on the future of the potato levy has been formally confirmed by AHDB, a simple yes or no vote that will go ahead in February 2021.
The ballot will look at the continuation of the statutory potato levy, taking place from mid-February for four weeks.
The confirmation comes after 8.5% of potatoes levy payers, which translates to 176 potato growing or buying businesses, submitted valid requests for a ballot.
Lincolnshire growers Simon Redden, Peter Thorold and John Bratley - the self-proclaimed AHDB Petitioners - delivered the requests for a ballot to AHDB s headquarters in Warwickshire last week.