The potato industry highlighted a series of issues affecting their sector at the meeting with Lord Whitty on March 14 including the need for increased protection against imported diseases such as brown rot and ring rot.

'Prevention of disease in potatoes is crucial for the long-term future of the industry,' said National Farmers' Union president Michael Paske, who was at the meeting with representatives from the NFU potato committee, the British Potato Council and the Potato Processors Association.

The delegation also urged Lord Whitty not to cut the potato research and development budget.

'Through the BPC, our members fund research programmes and we would like this grower investment to be backed by government investment,' said Paske.

Overall the meeting was described as a useful initial meeting which the industry hopes will be followed up with action and further meetings in the future.