News on The Potato Supply Chain from United Kingdom

A team of scientists from The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) and The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) have developed a new method to accelerate isolation of plant disease resistance genes and - using their new method - a brand new source of blight resistance genes in Solanum americanum, a wild relative of the potato.

QV Foods prepares to move its March potato packing operation and consolidate all the potato business at its Holbeach site

Delegates of AHDB Potatoes first ever Next Generation Programme overwhelmingly voted McCain Foods as their ‘Best Industry Host’, presenting the award at their final session at AHDB Headquarters, Stoneleigh Park, last month.

Elveden Farms, a West Suffolk estate is set to become a Regional Research & Demonstration Hub for potato growers and suppliers, thanks to funding from the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative.

“Harnessing the power of leading bloggers and vloggers, as well as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels will enable us [AHDB Potatoes] to reach more consumers and engage with them on a more regular and impactful basis. As research shows, this is clearly the way forward.”

In the United Kingdom, AHDB Potatoes has announced that it is searching for the first farmer host for its new Scottish Strategic Potato (SPot) Farm.

The new Haith system offers the end user a cost effective, robust, compact and reliable solution for potato processing intake lines.

Delegates of AHDB Potatoes’educational programme ‘Next Generation’ spoke on spuds and the needs of the £4.1bn GB potato sector on an informative visit to Westminster (parliament) and NFU London last week.

Branston (Potatoes) Ltd, based near Lincoln in the United Kingdom, has submitted a planning application with North Kesteven District Council for an expansion which would create 19 new jobs.

Dr Jon Pickup, Head of Virology & Zoology at Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) will lead on one of three AHDB Potatoes Fellowship Awards, specifically seeking to secure critical potato nematology expertise for the future.

With reports again highlighting a concerning lack of knowledge amongst young adults and the origin of the food they eat, educating the next generation remains an important focus

Nick Vermont, CEO of McCain Foods GB is this year's British Potato Industry Award winner

The entire potato industry of Great Britain gathered at Harrogate International Centre, North Yorkshire 12 and 13 November for BP2015, the key industry event of the year.

UK Seed potato exports are booming with big strides being made to open even more new markets.

Tong Engineering will be promoting its latest range of potato equipment and handling technology at this year’s British Potato event in Harrogate on 12th and 13th November.

BP 2015 is the first time this event held every two year for the British Potato Industry is entirely indoors. Visit BP2015 in Harrogate in 8 days from today...

Crop Systems Ltd is launching SmartStor™, a cost effective crop store control system that that enables users to monitor and manage their (potato) stores via their smartphone or tablet anywhere, anytime.

Delegates at BP2015 are in for a treat as a competition winning dish will be served up at the industry dinner. Potatoes naturally take a starring role in the main course dish created by a local Harrogate College student, as part of a competition run by AHDB Potatoes.