AHDB survey

[neilo]

I sent some potato samples into Sutton Bridge last week for disease analysis. Member of staff told me the site will close on December 17th. The staff are working out redundancy period. A rare research institute - probably one of one in the world. Not aware of any rescue operations yet that might come to fruition. Thought major processors / packer etc would put together a package for Sutton Bridge. Never expected growers to do anything. Hey ho.

I was listening to a FW podcast last week, whilst ferrying sheep, and they were interviewing someone from the AHDB Spuds. He said they were running it all down whilst trying to make sure all the decades of data wasn’t lost.
Obviously there will be some significant redundancy payouts to make from funds already collected, as many of the staff will have been there for along time.

 

[Hindsight]

I was listening to a FW podcast last week, whilst ferrying sheep, and they were interviewing someone from the AHDB Spuds. He said they were running it all down whilst trying to make sure all the decades of data wasn’t lost.
Obviously there will be some significant redundancy payouts to make from funds already collected, as many of the staff will have been there for along time.

I hadn't seen that FW podcast but then my subscription ran out and didn't renew!

I know some of the research staff. Am aware from conversations with other advisers they are endeavoring to save the experimental data that has not been published but provides that background knowledge so important in research institutes. They are also trying to place into mothballs the facility. Bear in mind there was major development in 2010 and then again 2016 with small 25 - 40 tonne cold and CA storage pods within an overall self contained building. It is truly a magnificent facility. Yes, goodness some of the reseachers been there for as long as I can remember.

 

[Grass And Grain]

Surely it would be extreme folly to vote to end the only independent research & marketing agency we have in the UK?

Maybe change/tweak it, but an awful lot of independent research and the associated information flow would just stop if AHDB was lost, handing power over to whichever large company could mount the most convincing marketing campaign.
Surely nobody thinks that can be a good move?

Agree that AHDB do good work, and wouldn't want to see that lost.

In cereals sector, I think they need to get straight forward access to grain mills for non-RT assured levy payers, which is no more onerous than how imports access our markets. To support RT as a scheme, which essentially forced us all to join, and put an extra layer of cost between levy payer and customer has been a strategical disaster. Why would our levy board (remit of developing markets) do that to growers? They should not have done that.

Supporting the concept of RT is fine, but it mustn't be the base standard for feed grain to a mill, with our competitors getting a free entry ticket.

It's an absolute disaster, and AHDB have supported it. Let's hope they can get our market access back, then we can support AHDB going forward.

If AHDB support the current situation, then I'd support a ballot and voting against continuation of AHDB cereals. Unfettered market access is a basic principle, and to my mind it's a red line. Just my opinion.

 

[MrNoo]

But are they not "part owners" of RT along with the NFU and others?? Having shafted us once, I cannot see that they will be willing to change, same as NFU, same stance and loosing members hand over fist.
Sooner the vote is the better

 

[tullah]

But are they not "part owners" of RT along with the NFU and others?? Having shafted us once, I cannot see that they will be willing to change, same as NFU, same stance and loosing members hand over fist.
Sooner the vote is the better

I’m dithering between hardline and finding a way out. They are best gone as you say.

 

[Grass And Grain]

But are they not "part owners" of RT along with the NFU and others?? Having shafted us once, I cannot see that they will be willing to change, same as NFU, same stance and loosing members hand over fist.
Sooner the vote is the better

Yes, the people we are asking to get us change seem to own the asurance companies (RT/SQC).

If they say "RT and SQC are doing just great, we think everything should remain exactly as it is, and farmers should keep paying even though imports don't need to". How are we going to believe their decisions are genuine, and not influenced by conflicts of interest?

They're supposed to be working for farmers, but they're also working for RT. They know they haven't any decent argument to keep us all in RT, but probably don't want to let us out of their grip.

I suspect they're not going to want to let us have a choice. They'll want to keep it theoretically voluntary, but essentially mandatory.

But we're not going to give up. Even if it means pushing for a ballot on future of AHDB cereals. Up to NFU, RT, AIC and AHDB if they want to be responsible for that.

 

[simon w]

But are they not "part owners" of RT along with the NFU and others?? Having shafted us once, I cannot see that they will be willing to change, same as NFU, same stance and loosing members hand over fist.
Sooner the vote is the better

I have sent 2 emails to AHDB asking if they intend to have a vote on the continuation of the levy. No reply at the moment. I suspect after the FW article last week they are trying to sidestep the issue.