The Seed Potato Organisation (SPO) has issued a calling notice for new members to join the co-operative.

The independent industry group was set up in the wake of AHDB disbanding activity in this area. The four priorities of the organisation are: representing the views of growers; funding agronomy research, innovation, and services to benefit the seed sector; supporting the development of seed potato markets and ensuring the long term economic and environmental sustainability of the sector.

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Outlining why he joined SPO, Rodney Harrison, an Angus-based seed grower, stated: “I joined because I felt our industry was at a crossroads. If we, as growers, sit back and do nothing, we could well find the industry suffers, or worse disappears. Joining the SPO gives me a voice to help ensure this great industry stays relevant."

Jonnie Martin, a grower from the Black Isle and SPO board member, added that the UK seed potato sector had many strengths, but to protect and enhance its global reputation it needed a united and dynamic organisation that can work in partnership with both SASA and Defra to ensure an efficient sector to produce a high quality seed product, one that could direct scientific research, and one that promoted and further developed the health status of the Scottish seed industry at home and abroad.

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The board is comprised of nine seed potato growers, as well as technical expert, Dr Philip Burgess and Patrick Hughes ,from SAOS. The initial cost to join SPO is £1000 to establish the organisation, with the fee to be redeemed in future. An annual membership fee is £29/ha, based on the area of seed grown.

To find out more, visit https://seedpotatoorganisation.com/