AHDB is to hold a series of meetings with Scottish producers to discuss future levy-funded priorities, as part of a restructuring move to deliver “more efficiency savings and better service” to levy payers.
The meetings, six in total, will follow what AHDB independent board member, George Lyon, described as a “triple whammy of a difficult summer” characterised by wet weather, overproduction and huge falls in farm prices.
“We are taking a fundamental look at our priorities and reviewing every aspect of our activities, and the meetings later this year will give (Scottish) levy payers a chance to feed into that process directly,” said Mr Lyon (pictured above) speaking at Potatoes In Practice in Dundee today.
He also said that AHDB will use the meetings to communicate how it is improving performance by sharing best practice across sectors and working in a fully integrated manner, leading to yet more efficiency savings.
“By operating in a more joined-up way, we can improve on the £3.8 million annual savings already achieved since merging five former levy bodies under one umbrella organisation,” he said.
“By restructuring and integrating our teams, we can cut duplication, reduce waste and find more savings to invest in the tools which industry needs to survive these challenging times.”
The Scottish meeting schedule is as follows:
- November 18 – Agriscot, Edinburgh
- November 24 – Black Isle
- November 25 – Inverurie
- November 26 – Ayr
- December 1 – Carfreamill
- December 2 – Dundee