Written by William Kellett from Agriland
The Growers’ Better Levy Group (GBLG) is calling for Defra to support a grower managed research agency run by growers following the ballot on the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) statutory levy for horticulture and potato growers.
Made up of a voluntary group of 36 highly influential, independent and representative business operators in the horticulture and potato sectors, the group believes in a future with a collaborative approach to innovation, research and development, as well as knowledge exchange and connecting researchers to growers.
“The aim of the group is to ensure a healthy and sustainable UK horticultural industry within which businesses can thrive,” said Martin Emmett, an ornamental grower.
“We feel that our proposed way forward on how R&D is conducted for the industry is the right approach and has the support of all 36 businesses involved, as well as a number of research organisations and grower groups.”
Priority areas
The group has outlined all the priority areas of critical Innovation, Research & Development required by the UK’s horticulture and potato sectors and has also defined how a grower-run R&D investment board might operate.
The group chair, Phil Pearson, group development director at APS Group, added:
“We have met Victoria Prentis from Defra and explained that we want to see the green light, and Defra’s support for, an independent, grower-managed research agency funded by an investment levy.
“The R&D would be directed by an elected, independent board of representative growers who would decide on research priorities and projects, in consultation with the wider industry, including businesses and grower associations.”
The post GLBG calls for research support for the horticulture industry appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.
Continue reading on the Agriland Website...
The Growers’ Better Levy Group (GBLG) is calling for Defra to support a grower managed research agency run by growers following the ballot on the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) statutory levy for horticulture and potato growers.
Made up of a voluntary group of 36 highly influential, independent and representative business operators in the horticulture and potato sectors, the group believes in a future with a collaborative approach to innovation, research and development, as well as knowledge exchange and connecting researchers to growers.
“The aim of the group is to ensure a healthy and sustainable UK horticultural industry within which businesses can thrive,” said Martin Emmett, an ornamental grower.
The GBLG is group of concerned levy payers, not a democratically elected board.
“We feel that our proposed way forward on how R&D is conducted for the industry is the right approach and has the support of all 36 businesses involved, as well as a number of research organisations and grower groups.”
Priority areas
The group has outlined all the priority areas of critical Innovation, Research & Development required by the UK’s horticulture and potato sectors and has also defined how a grower-run R&D investment board might operate.
The group chair, Phil Pearson, group development director at APS Group, added:
“We have met Victoria Prentis from Defra and explained that we want to see the green light, and Defra’s support for, an independent, grower-managed research agency funded by an investment levy.
The agency would emulate models that already exist in both New Zealand and Australia.
“The R&D would be directed by an elected, independent board of representative growers who would decide on research priorities and projects, in consultation with the wider industry, including businesses and grower associations.”
The post GLBG calls for research support for the horticulture industry appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.
Continue reading on the Agriland Website...