Potato News from United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, restrictions on the use of products containing Maleic Hydrazide (MH) - used to control volunteers and to suppress sprouting during storage - have been removed following a review by the Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) of the HSE.

Recent research at the James Hutton Institute suggests that limited genetic differences in potato lineages has left British and American spuds vulnerable to late blight, the disease that caused the Irish potato famine.

UK consumers may face a home-grown potatoes shortage next year as stocks run out due to new storage rules.

Scotts Precision Manufacturing is reporting a record year, with sales of its Evolution separator and Trinity range of haulm toppers up by over 30%.

Hot2Home, launched in the United Kingdom last year, keeps fries hot and crispy for an amazing 20 minutes! And starting in September, you can get Hot2Home Skin-On Fries!

Ayrshire potatoes have been granted special status under EU rules to protect them from imitation.

Puffin Produce Ltd. unveiled a new look for its Blas y Tir brand of fresh potatoes, including the new 1kg Blas y Tir Pembrokeshire Earlies, which are now available in supermarkets across Wales.

The snacks and drink giant has built up its iCrop precision agriculture tool to better support potato, corn, oats and peanut farmers make in-field decisions, PepsiCo Europe’s head of agricultural procurement David Wilkinson tells FoodNavigator.

Scientists are creating a “super potato”, fortified with iron and zinc, in a bid to tackle malnutrition in developing countries.

The UK's leading manufacturer of the vegetable handling equipment has extended its range of box fillers, with the launch of the Supa-Fill 400 PRO Box Filler.

Tong Engineering, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of vegetable grading and handling equipment, is looking forward to a new era as it starts work on a brand-new production facility in Lincolnshire.

The seeds have been sown for the creation of a world-leading potato hub in Scotland, designed to give those working in the £200 million-plus industry instant access to expert advice.

Recently, drones have been given what might just be their most important ever role: being deployed to protect Scottish potatoes.

Haith has launched the 2019 version of its Sample Washer.

We understand that on 17 June 2019 the European Union’s Health and Food Safety Directorate-General Appeal Committee concluded Chlorpropham’s (CIPC) approval for use both as a herbicide and as a sprout suppressant cannot be renewed.

A well-known Norwich crisps brand has embedded its roots in Norfolk for decades to come by investing £2.7m in a new potato processing building - unlocking the factory's future growth potential.

Freshfel Europe’s 2019 Activity Report has been published and is now available for download on the Freshfel Europe website.

On 5 June 2019 leading fresh produce stakeholders from across Europe gathered at Freshfel Europe’s 2019 Annual Event to analyse the driving forces for opportunities in the current unpredictable business environment for the fresh produce sector.