Spud levy rise scandalous – growers
19 October 2001
Spud levy rise ‘scandalous’ – growers
By Andrew Blake
PLANS ot raise the British Potato Councils levy by nine per cent have met stiff opposition.
“With farming in such dire circumstances, if anything I would like to see the levy cut,” said Norfolk grower Stuart Knight.
He wants to be sure growers are getting value for money out of the levy and feels variety testing may be a particular waste of levy cash.
“A lot is spent on it, but very few new varieties come through, unlike wheat. A nine per cent rise is too big.”
Promotion should be the focus, says Cheshire grower Ian Crawford, who denounces the BPC proposal as “scandalous”.
“Research and development is a complete waste of money. Advertising pays hands down.”
Roger Blyth, manager of Farmcares East Yorkshire operation, agrees: “I want to see a fair bit more activity before they charge any more.
“We are already paying 14/acre and I think it ought to be more proactive.”
The National Farmers Union is due to discuss the BPC proposal, but the potato committee is unlikely to support calls for a move towards a tonnage levy.
- Call for 9% hike in potato levy, FWi, 05 October, 2001
- Spuds in space – the race is on, FWi, 8 October, 2001
- Spud guide helps reduce store losses, FWi, 4 September, 2001
- FWi Arable – our arable news page
- Farmer to Farmer – find out the latest from the FWi farm diarists
- Surviving the storms – details of the 2001 Crops Conferences
- Click here for a demo of the new, improved FWi Weathercast service
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