GB Potatoes has joined Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd (HCP) on behalf of the British seed potato industry. The move, supported by a grant from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) using remaining Potato Levy funds, aims to improve access to crop protection tools through formal authorisation channels.
HCP, established by the UK horticultural sector, is responsible for submitting Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) and Emergency Authorisation (EA) applications to the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive. These applications are often not pursued by plant protection companies due to limited commercial interest and high submission costs, leaving smaller crop sectors like seed potatoes without access to essential products.
To coordinate the process for seed potatoes, GB Potatoes will act as the secretariat for a newly formed Technical Working Group. This group will include agronomists, growers, and representatives from relevant industry bodies, working alongside HCP to assess the seed sector's crop protection priorities.
A key component of the initiative is the development of a Potato Risk Register. This document will identify the most significant pest, disease, and weed threats to seed potato production, along with existing gaps in available plant protection products. The register will inform the group's recommendations and support the identification of which EAMU or EA applications should be pursued most urgently.
The group will also be responsible for engaging with agrochemical companies to explore whether existing or in-development products might address identified needs. The aim is to present clear, crop-specific justifications for support, based on regulatory feasibility and industry urgency.
High-grade seed potato production is considered critical to the broader British potato industry, with seed quality and health directly influencing ware production and supply chain stability. However, the sector is facing mounting pressure due to regulatory changes and the withdrawal of key plant protection tools such as fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides.
By joining HCP and participating in this structured process, the seed potato sector now has a route to seek product authorisations that were previously out of reach. While the immediate benefits will support seed producers, the broader UK potato industry is also expected to gain from more stable and sustainable production.
For more information:
GB Potatoes
Tel: +44 (0) 1507 602427
Email: [email protected]
www.gb-potatoes.co.uk