AHDB has ‘agreed in principle’ to transfer up to £1 million in surplus levy funds to Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd (HCP), the new grower-run company which has been established to manage EAMU applications and emergency authorisations of crop protection products.
According to reports, AHDB said it had acted to support the industry and Defra in securing the long-term support for ‘essential’ Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) and Emergency Approvals (EA) work for the sector. Discussions are still ongoing between the parties about the exact details of the arrangements.
A spokesperson for AHDB said, “It is anticipated the sum involved is up to £1m which will be made over by way of a grant over a period of time. The transfer of these levy monies is subject to Defra approval.
“During the period of transition from the existing system to the new organisation, the team at AHDB are managing the pipeline of work on EAs and EAMUs to give the new organisation the greatest chance of success.”
Commenting on the fact that some separate applications have been made to the AHDB Board for small grants to allow important work in the potato sector to continue, the spokesperson added, “The move away from the levy body to a new era has some way to go in this sector.”
They continued, “The AHDB board have noted that any grant scheme would be contingent of finalising the sale of the Sutton Bridge research facility and collecting outstanding debt from potato for businesses for the 2021 growing season. The AHDB board felt that a public demonstration of support on a scale achieved in horticulture would allow progress on grant schemes.”
