Last chance to have your say on new AHDB five-year strategy
© Tim Scrivener Farmers, growers and processors are being encouraged to submit their views on the AHDB’s new five-year strategy, which closes for comment on Sunday (31 January).
The strategy focuses work in three key areas – evidence and data, farm performance, and marketing/exports.
See also: AHDB invites farmers to have say on future
The aim is to help farmers manage changes in farm policy, cope with the effects of Brexit, meet their “net-zero” carbon ambitions and respond to shifting consumer trends.
The full strategy and individual sector plans can be found on the AHDB website.
In particular, it commits to:
- Improve the way the AHDB engages with farmers
- Involve levy payers more in setting work programmes and levy rates
- Change the levy system in horticulture and potatoes
- Hold a five-yearly ballot on the future of the AHDB levy.
AHDB chairman Nicholas Saphir said: “This is a real opportunity to help shape the future work programmes and priorities for your sector. Therefore, we are encouraging farmers, growers and the supply chain to respond to the consultation before Sunday’s deadline.”
Better value
The NFU has said it wants to see the AHDB offering better value for levy investment, alongside greater agility and accountability as farmers and growers met the challenge of sustainable food production.
Established in 2008 and covering 72% of UK agricultural output, the AHDB covers meat and livestock (cattle, sheep and pigs) in England; horticulture, milk and potatoes in Great Britain; and cereals and oilseeds in the UK.
It is currently holding a ballot on the future of the horticulture levy, following requests for a review by more than 5% of levy payers, which is due to conclude on 10 February.
A similar ballot of potato growers will start in mid-February.