CONSULTATION ON CHANGES TO THE AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (AHDB) ORDER 2008

Posted November, 17th, 2021

Consultation on changes to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Order 2008 

Today (17th November 2021), the UK Government and Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales launched a consultation on proposals for a reformed Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). 

The consultation runs for seven weeks from 17th November 2021 and closes at midnight on the 10th January 2022.   

 The consultation seeks views on proposals for a reformed AHDB to deliver greater accountability to and engagement with levy payers on sector work programmes that deliver good value for money and meet the needs and demands of industry. Importantly, the proposed changes respect the overall outcome of the ballot in the horticulture and potato sectors in Great Britain (GB) to end the levy in these two sectors from next financial year, April 2022. The UK Government and the Devolved Administrations remain open to exploring industry-led proposals for the AHDB to deliver research and market development activities through a range of other funding methods, such as voluntary levies, commercial agreements or new statutory levies where there is widespread support for this.   

 The consultation and proposed changes sit alongside improvements already underway to the governance and structure of the AHDB to deliver a more efficient and focused organisation. A reformed and more accountable AHDB will be in a strong position to support farmers and growers as they enter a time of significant change, playing a key role in opening access to new markets around the world, improving competitiveness and productivity, as well as supporting the industry to meet the challenges and opportunities of reducing carbon emissions.   

 The consultation extends to the whole of the United Kingdom and we encourage farmers, growers and all relevant stakeholders across the UK to submit their views and help us shape the AHDB of the future.   For further details and to respond to the consultation, please visit the related GOV.UK page: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/ahdb-relationship-team/ahdb-order