A meeting of Scottish seed potato growers in Forfar the past week has agreed to set up a co-op to represent the sector. As John Sleigh reports for The Scottish Farmer, the new body, which is as yet unnamed, aims to deliver four outcomes for the seed potato sector; support development of markets; secure economic and environmental sustainability; fund research, innovation and technical services which benefit the sector; and represent the views of seed potato producers to regulators and others.
The new group hopes to raise £250,000 per year based on members paying around £40/hectare of planted seed potatoes. There is planned additional income from associated members and trade organisations which will help top up the co-op’s funds.
The body is to be in collaboration with Scottishpotatoes.org (a partnership of SRUC, JHI and SASA) which is offering to support the organisation during its formation. There will also be input from NFU Scotland and Scottish Agronomy alongside support from SAOS in establishing the co-op structure.
