Wind up of AHDB Potatoes

[Austin7]

In June 2008 The British Potato Council handed over £5 millions of potato growers funds to AHDB. This was made up of a conservative £4.1million surplus in the accounts plus the actual capital value of Sutton Bridge which had been depreciated to zero in the accounts. Today AHDB seek £7.4 million to meet the “liabilities” brought upon themselves as a direct result of their gross mismanagement of what was as BPC a respected and well run industry body. This loss of £12 millions of Potato Growers funds is dismissed by AHDB in just a few lines without any explanation or audit. To add insult to injury growers are expected under threat of court action to pay 92% of these inflated costs, the government who was also a beneficiary of the scheme a mere 8% and the industry beyond the farm gate nothing. All this whilst the management who bought our industry body down are still employed. Looking back it is frustrating remembering what we lost with the demise of the BPC. AHDB have much to answer for.

 

[Andrew K]

In June 2008 The British Potato Council handed over £5 millions of potato growers funds to AHDB. This was made up of a conservative £4.1million surplus in the accounts plus the actual capital value of Sutton Bridge which had been depreciated to zero in the accounts. Today AHDB seek £7.4 million to meet the “liabilities” brought upon themselves as a direct result of their gross mismanagement of what was as BPC a respected and well run industry body. This loss of £12 millions of Potato Growers funds is dismissed by AHDB in just a few lines without any explanation or audit. To add insult to injury growers are expected under threat of court action to pay 92% of these inflated costs, the government who was also a beneficiary of the scheme a mere 8% and the industry beyond the farm gate nothing. All this whilst the management who bought our industry body down are still employed. Looking back it is frustrating remembering what we lost with the demise of the BPC. AHDB have much to answer for.

There are some very wealthy growers about, why not take legal action?