Key Takeaways
- GB Potatoes joins Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd (HCP) to support crop protection applications for the British seed potato sector.
- The initiative is funded by a grant from residual AHDB Potato Levy funds.
- A new Technical Working Group will prioritize authorisation efforts for essential plant protection products (PPPs).
- The collaboration aims to address regulatory challenges and improve sector-wide access to crop protection tools.
- A Potato Risk Register will guide decisions on Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) and Emergency Authorisation (EA) applications.
GB Potatoes and HCP Collaborate on Seed Sector Crop Protection
GB Potatoes has joined Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd (HCP) to advance access to crop protection tools for British seed potato growers. Enabled by funding from the remaining AHDB Potato Levy, this partnership is designed to address challenges associated with regulatory authorisations for pest and disease control products.
HCP, which represents the UK horticultural sector, manages Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) and Emergency Authorisation (EA) applications. These are often not pursued by crop protection companies due to the limited market size and high cost, yet are crucial for specialty crop sectors like seed potatoes.
New Technical Working Group to Set Priorities
To guide its collaboration with HCP, GB Potatoes is establishing a Technical Working Group made up of agronomists, seed growers, and industry stakeholders. The group’s core responsibilities include maintaining a Potato Risk Register, advising on authorisation priorities, and suggesting new candidate products for potential EAMU or EA applications.
This working group is intended to streamline communication between the sector and agrochemical companies, presenting crop-specific needs and justifications for authorisation.
Addressing Sector-Wide Challenges Through Coordination
The initiative reflects a broader industry need for structured coordination around crop protection, especially as the sector faces regulatory pressure and the phasing out of key tools like fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. The Potato Risk Register will help align resources with the most pressing plant health threats.
While the immediate focus is on seed growers, the broader British potato industry is expected to benefit through improved planting outcomes and supply chain resilience.
GB Potatoes & HCP: Supporting a Sustainable Future for Seed Potatoes
High-grade seed production forms the foundation of the British potato sector. By joining HCP and leading this effort, GB Potatoes aims to provide a proactive, collaborative approach to managing regulatory hurdles and ensuring long-term crop health and viability.
The partnership is positioned as a sector-wide solution to a shared challenge—enabling access to plant protection products that support sustainable seed potato production across Great Britain.
