Catalogue description Records of the British Potato Council

The British Potato Council was established in 1997 by the Potato Industry Development Council Order 1997, under the Industrial Organisation and Development Act 1947. The British Potato Council came into being on 1 July 1997, with the aims of increasing efficiency and productivity in the potato industry, and help the industry improve its service to the community. Producers of over three hectares of potatoes, and purchasers of over 1,000 tonnes of potatoes were required to register with the Council to provide returns and other information, and to pay an annual levy. An Amendment Order in 1999 changed the way tonnage levies are charged, and the 2002 Amendment Order increased the registration thresholds of both and introduced a two-tier system of levy rates (a higher rate for payments received after the due date), and increased the area levy maximum rate. Smaller businesses can take advantage of the British Potato Council's services and information through a system of voluntary registration.

Its main functions were to fund research and development, transfer technology, collect and disseminate market information and to advertise and promote potatoes to consumers at home and in export markets.

Activities:

• Collecting the levy from all eligible producers and purchasers;
• Identifying and commissioning research and development projects appropriate to the near market needs of the industry, taking into account the research and development work of other organisations;
• Communicating research and development findings to the industry and encouraging their uptake;
• Collecting market information and statistics, and disseminating these in a manageable and effective way;
• Undertaking targeted consumer marketing activities and joint promotional work from grower to retailer;
• Encouraging cross-industry communication to improve competitiveness and supply to consumers;
• Examining and promoting integrated crop management practices to ensure sustainable potato production while safeguarding the environment;
• Promoting and developing seed export trade.

The Sutton Bridge Experimental Unit (SBEU) Ltd was a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Potato Council. Its function was to carry out research on stored potatoes, from both the Council and the commercial sector. The Council provided the secretariat, but a limited company 'Rotogrow Ltd' managed the unit: a consortium made up of ADAS, Cambridge University Farm (CUF) and SAC.

The British Potato Council reported directly to Defra and Defra Ministers appointed the Council members. The Council had a number of Committees to develop strategy and ensure its duties are performed in an open and accountable manner. Committee members were drawn from Council members, as well as British Potato Council employees and representatives from industry.

• Marketing Strategy.
• Market Information.
• Seed Sectoral Group.
• Research and Development.
• Audit.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2008 and came into force on 1 April 2008. It established the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), which is allowed to establish a subsidiary company for each of the industries within the scope of the Order. Therefore, in 2008 Potato Council Ltd became a wholly owned subsidiary of AHDB and carries out certain activities for the British Potato Industry, under delegation from AHDB.