GB Potatoes joins HCP to boost seed potato crop protection and secure sustainable UK production

GB Potatoes is pleased to announce that we have joined Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd (HCP) on behalf of the British seed potato industry. This important step has been made possible through the grant we secured from AHDB, using the remaining Potato Levy funds.

HCP was created by the UK horticultural sector to take on the essential task of processing Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) and Emergency Authorisation (EA) applications for crop protection products. These applications are made to the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for products that plant protection companies typically won’t pursue due to small market size and high application costs.

Why This Matters for the Seed Potato Sector

EAMU and EA applications are costly, technically demanding, and time-consuming, making them nearly impossible for individual seed potato growers. Once authorised through HCP, the products become available to all growers of the crop — providing sector-wide benefit.

To manage this process, GB Potatoes will act as secretariat for a newly formed Technical Working Group. This group will include agronomists, seed growers, and representatives from industry bodies. Together, they will collaborate with HCP to assess and prioritise the seed sector’s plant protection needs.

This effort aligns with GB Potatoes’ mission: bringing together the supply chain to address industry-wide challenges and ensure a robust, sustainable future for potato production in Great Britain.

At the heart of the group’s work will be the development and upkeep of a Potato Risk Register — a document that highlights major pest, disease, and weed threats, and identifies gaps in available plant protection products (PPPs).

Leveraging HCP’s technical expertise, the group will assess which products are most likely to receive authorisation. Regular meetings will use the Risk Register to determine where EAMU or EA applications are most urgently needed.

This intelligence will guide engagement with agrochemical companies, who evaluate whether they have existing or pipeline products that could meet the sector’s needs. It’s the role of the technical group to communicate the crop-specific urgency and build the case for support.

Focus Areas of the Technical Working Group:

• Developing and maintaining a Potato Risk Register to highlight key pest and disease threats and identify critical gaps in plant protection options.
• Advising on EAMU or EA applications based on the sector’s priorities.
• Bringing forward suggestions for new EAMU candidates based on industry experience and technical needs.

Securing the Future of High-Grade Seed

High-grade seed potato production underpins the entire British potato industry. The quality and health of seed directly influence the success of ware production and the wider supply chain.

However, regulatory changes and the loss of key crop protection tools — including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides — are making seed production increasingly difficult.

Thanks to this collaboration with HCP, supported by residual Potato Levy funds, the seed potato sector now has a structured pathway to pursue essential authorisations. While seed growers are the immediate beneficiaries, the broader industry also stands to gain. This is a shared challenge that demands a shared solution.

The groundwork is being laid to support seed producers, stimulate planting, and secure the future of sustainable, high-quality potato production across Great Britain.