MARKETS AT RISK

The EU block on trade in seed potatoes doesn’t just affect seed growers. Many ware growers here have relied on imported seed, including for some specialist varieties which are not reliably available in the UK

Words by: Spence Gunn

Growers across the country may face increased competition from imported ware potatoes next season. Because they’ll no longer be able to obtain EU-grown seed, they can’t supply the full range of varieties normally demanded by their customers, who may choose to look abroad instead.

The UK-EU trade deal achieved at the end of 2020 doesn’t recognise mutual equivalence under plant health and marketing rules for seed potatoes, though it does for ware (see Horticulture, summer).

British seed growers have been unable to export to the EU since January but Defra set up a six-month derogation enabling ware growers here to obtain EU seed for this year’s crop. The derogation wasn’t renewed when it lapsed at the end of June, leaving supply in doubt for some varieties that are not viable to produce as seed in the UK.

“It’s now clear that any plan to bring about a change in the EU’s position by ending the derogation – so cutting off a key market for EU seed suppliers – hasn’t worked,” says NFU Potato Forum chairman Alex Godfrey.

“The forum is now very concerned about the damage that could be done to English and Welsh ware growers if they can’t obtain EU seed.

“Some specialist sectors such as salads and fresh chipping crops are especially vulnerable as many of the varieties involved can’t be produced reliably or economically as seed here. But there are many others, too, so we really need a rapid resolution to this, and a return to reciprocal trade and mutual recognition of standards.”

He adds: “The risk is that market players who demand these specialist varieties will look to source imported ware potatoes instead, if they can’t get them from English and Welsh growers, to fill the gaps that will open up in their own supply chains.”

The NFU has been working all year with its Scottish and Northern Ireland counterparts, and with Defra and the devolved agriculture ministries, to find a way to restore trade in both directions.

“It’s in the interests of English and Welsh ware growers to have a strong Scottish seed industry, just as it’s in Scottish seed growers’ interests to have a strong English and Welsh ware sector – and we mustn’t forget there are

Agronomist and NFU Potato Forum member Andy Alexander said the growers he works with have become increasingly worried following the end of the derogation.

“I was already getting calls from packers and other ‘end users’ before the end of June and since then from many growers fi nding out they may not be able to get all the seed they need for next year and wondering what to do.

“A lot of people seem surprised at how signifi cant the use of European seed is, but I’d say up to a quarter of my grower-base use at least some, and of course it’s more signifi cant for those growing for specialist markets like salads, chips and crisps.

“And don’t forget in most cases it’s the buyer who is determining choice of variety; sourcing from Europe has been all about being able to grow the varieties the customer has specifi ed.

“For example, I have chip-shop growers who use a lot of Agria from the Netherlands and crisp growers who need Lady Claire from France. It’s unlikely seed of these would be available in suffi cient quantity here.

“And while some of the varieties currently imported could be grown here it would take two to three years for supplies to become available.”

NFU Potato Forum chairman

English and Welsh seed growers caught up in this too,” says Mr Godfrey.

“It’s also vital we avoid any risk of unobtainable seed coming in ‘by the back door’. Anything that doesn’t go through the usual inspection channels risks importing diseases like brown rot and ring rot and that could prove highly damaging for everyone.”

One glimmer of light is that while the blanket derogation for EU seed tuber imports has ended, Defra has left open the option for individual member states to seek UK recognition. That could enable seed growers in some key potato seed-producing countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany or France, to supply British growers.

“The NFU has been talking with farming unions and grower associations across the EU,” says NFU horticulture and potatoes adviser Rupert Weaver.

“A virtual meeting in July called for a rolling two-year derogation on the part of both the EU and UK that would recognise the standards that existed before Brexit are being maintained, while taking account of the EU’s position that a full agreement is impossible without the UK consenting to full dynamic alignment across EU trade rules.

“There also seems to be an appetite from some to ask their own authorities to seek UK recognition. We’re still trying to fi nd out how that might happen in practice, but it looks as if at least a couple of the key potato seed exporting states are actively considering it now, though of course we understand what a big political decision it could be for them.”

The NFU believes an EU member state seeking UK recognition would need to prove to Defra that its own seed production and health standards met UK requirements, and would not be obliged to accept imports of UK seed tubers in return. But they may have to make the actual application via the European Commission. “It’s still not clear what the EC’s role would be, if any such application was made, but we know Defra has outlined the procedure to them,” adds Mr Weaver.

Defra says that the UK has repeatedly made the case for the EU to recognise our regulations as equivalent and to authorise imports of seed potatoes, including through an application under Article 44 of the EU Plant Health Regulation.

It adds: “Unfortunately, this application was rejected. We are acutely aware of the issues that the continued prohibition of export of seed potatoes is causing the industry and the UK will continue to work actively with the EU to fi nd solutions.”

With growers already starting to make plans for next year’s plantings, political decisions are unlikely to come soon enough.

“Defra has acknowledged that aff ected sectors may need support, and the NFU is seeking to understand the implications,” says Mr Weaver.

“It’s not just about UK seed growers losing valuable export markets in Europe. Some ware growers will need help too if, through no fault of their own, they are unable to plant the crops their customers need and fi nd their home markets being lost to imports.”