This week the BPOA has written again to Nicholas Saphir to emphasise that it supports the continuation of the AHDB & levy-funded research subject to certain safeguards to ensure the ‘value for money’ promised in the new strategy.
Chairman, James Alcaraz says “Growers need to demonstrate their support for continuation of the levy by voting yes to protect the work that is being done on their behalf. At the same time, I recognise the disappointment that is felt by many in the industry that AHDB has failed to perform in the way they would like and that produces a lack of confidence in the organisation’s ability to reform. We have to give it a chance with a firm target and timetable which will be monitored.”
As an organisation of ornamentals producers, BPOA has been active in collating growers’ opinion and leading the campaign on their behalf to negotiate the orderly continuation of the activities arranged by AHDB and the revision of its operation. Having responded formally to the strategy document online, BPOA would like to put forward in detail, practical, positive, measurable proposals on how levy funded R&D should be managed in the future.
- Decisions – R&D decision making needs to be put back into the hands of the people that pay for it (growers) and only facilitated by the AHDB.
- Targets – Clear organisational targets and reporting revenue spend are required e.g., 10% overheads, 70% research, 20% knowledge exchange, 0% marketing etc and timely reporting.
- Communication – AHDB website should not be an expensive, bland corporate promotion but focus on functionality and information provision with excellent search facilities.
- Grower engagement – Levy-payers engagement should be measured with growers’ attendance at events physical, virtual, opening emails. For example, annual targets of 50% of levy payers attending physical events, 70% to physical and/or virtual, 90% some type of engagement (emails read?).
- Selection of projects – We would like to see a clear process on research project selection. Priorities areas chosen by growers (not AHDB/DEFRA) e.g., P&D, Energy, Labour efficiency and all growers polled for priority order.
- Outcomes of projects to be reviewed by growers and polled and satisfaction surveys published, with a cost/benefit analysis.
- Levy calculation – Levy-funded R&D is supported by our association, with 2 levels. One for general ornamentals work and one for specific crops. Control and transparency of levy collection, costs and procedures are key.
- Contact – All businesses to have formal financial contacts for levy purposes and a management contact (for sector purposes) with technical or multiple technical contacts for engagement.
- Governance – The structure of boards needs to be agreed and approved by a vote of levy payers and may not be amended without another vote. (to avoid later revision and unchecked growth of administration).