SCOTT WALKER, CEO OF GB POTATOES, SAYS THAT WITH A NEW GOVERNMENT IN PLACE, IT’S CRUCIAL TO EMPHASISE THE VITAL ROLE OF THE POTATO SECTOR IN UK AGRICULTURE.
AS you prepare for the main potato harvest and have a moment to gather your thoughts before all the hard work begins, what are the defining moments of 2024 that come to mind? Is it the record-breaking wet spring that threw your planting schedule into disarray, the fleeting glimpses of promising summer weather that never quite stuck around, or perhaps the unexpectedly-smooth harvest that brought in yields better than you dared to hope for?
Of course, that last scenario hasn’t yet happened and might be more optimistic than realistic. But perhaps 2024 will be memorable for a different reason altogether—the arrival of a new Prime Minister.
Given the political upheavals we’ve experienced in recent years, with three leaders—Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak—since the 2019 election, another change at the top might not seem extraordinary. However, this time is different. This new Prime Minister has come to power through a general election, ushering in the beginning of a new Labour Government.
As this government settles in, just over a month into its term, the question looms large: What will this new Labour Government mean for farming? While it’s far too soon to draw any firm conclusions, the industry is watching closely, aware that significant changes could be on the horizon.
Before the election, Labour made concerted efforts to appeal to the rural vote, presenting itself as a party that understood and would support the farming sector. The messaging was consistently reassuring, aimed at easing concerns within the industry. However, now the party is in power, it faces the challenging task of making real decisions—and it’s clear that pleasing everyone will not be possible.
Labour has pledged to “champion British farming while protecting the environment.” It has recognised the importance of increasing the nation’s self-sufficiency to bolster food security, a critical aspect of our national infrastructure. This was underscored on Wednesday, August 14th, which marked the UK’s ‘Self-sufficiency Day’, the point in the year when, if we we had relied solely on food produced within the UK from January 1st, our supplies would have run out.
With more focus than ever is going to be on food security and the economic potential of domestic food production, it’s up to us in the potato industry to demonstrate to this new government just how crucial our sector is to the UK.
If the government enacts policies that support, rather than hinder, our efforts, the potato industry can thrive and significantly contribute to the nation’s food security and economy.
With a new government in place, it’s crucial that we emphasise the vital role of the potato sector in UK agriculture. While we face challenges, there are also significant opportunities on the horizon. The policies this government introduces—spanning agricultural regulations, trade agreements, authorisations for plant protection products, labour availability, and employment law—could have a profound impact on our industry.
As the national conversation around food security and the economic benefits of UK food production gains momentum, we must highlight the critical importance of potato production to the nation’s well-being. With the right support, our industry has the potential to thrive and make a substantial contribution to the economy.
Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism about the future and confident in our ability at GB Potatoes to help shape it. We have made significant strides, including securing ministerial support for GB Potatoes to access the residual potato levy funds from AHDB. We are now in the final stages of finalising the agreement with AHDB, which will enable us to begin rolling out projects that will directly benefit our industry. This opportunity places a portion of our future firmly in our own hands, allowing us to influence the direction of the sector and advocate for the policies that will shape our path forward.
The momentum we’ve built is substantial, and it is essential that we continue to drive it forward. Our collective influence can be a powerful tool, not just in steering our industry but in shaping government decisions that will have a lasting impact on our future. To achieve this, we need to work together as a unified force.
I urge you to spread the word about GB Potatoes and encourage others in the industry to join our efforts. The more voices we have advocating for the potato sector, the stronger our influence will be. Together, we can ensure that our industry not only survives but thrives in the years to come.
