It was encouraging to witness the air of confidence that surrounded British Potato 2003 last week. In the two years since the event last took place it is fair to say that the industry has contracted, but that didn't stop the self-funding show from attracting the crowds with a varied selection of workshops, demonstrations and exhibitors.
Even the unexpected appearance of student protestors didn't mar the event, but among those who made their presence felt for more positive reasons was event organiser the British Potato Council (BPC). Still basking in the success of its healthy eating initiative, the BPC unveiled its latest convenience-based campaign, while on a more pressing note, addressed key industry issues in a well-chosen range of seminars.
The battle against blight and certain storage issues may be pertinent to the potato industry alone, but the issue of water is one that is relevant to us all.
As has been pointed out to the soft-fruit industry at recent conferences, the use of water is an all-too-pertinent issue. The availability of this precious resource is dwindling in the UK. Future legislation will undoubtedly bring new obligations and responsibilities with the onus on producers to demonstrate efficient use. Abstraction licences could well be revoked under these new powers ñ if companies are thought to have caused environmental harm ñ so there can be no better time to review the situation. As one BPC executive rightly pointed out: “The pressure is on to act now.”
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