Potato News from United Kingdom

LAMMA got off to a flying start on its first day last Wednesday 19th January, as farmers from around the country travelled to Newark Showground to view the latest innovations in farm and agricultural machinery.

The future sustainability of the potato supply chain is at risk from increasing threats from new organisms that can potentially devastate a crop.

The UK market for savoury snacks, nuts and crisps has proved to be recession proof, according to the latest data from Nielsen.

Planting of early potatoes is under way in Cornwall, although rain is likely to have halted further progress this week, says the Potato Council.

Barry Ledger has retired from Tong Peal Engineering, the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of agricultural handling and sorting equipment for the vegetable handling industry.

Aviko, one of the world's largest producers of potato products, has appointed Leeds agency Brass to promote its UK and Eire foodservice business following a three-way pitch.

Thousands of farmers have attended the opening day of the 2011 LAMMA show - Britain's largest machinery event.

Herbert Engineering will be starting 2011 in traditional fashion, by exhibiting at the annual LAMMA show in Newark.

United Biscuits is looking to auction its biscuits division for about GBP1.5 billion after the decision of China's Bright Food to walk away from acquiring the whole company, The Mail on Sunday reported, without citing sources.

National Chip Week returns for its 20th annual celebration in 2011, taking place from 21 to 27 February

Path to zero, PepsiCo UK and Ireland's second environmental sustainability report, sets out how Pepsico UK and Ireland will radically reduce our impact on the environment. The commitments made in the report cover climate change, agriculture, water use...

Jimmy Carr and Stephen Fry have lent their names to a range of Walkers crisps being launched for Comic Relief.

Researchers at the University of Nottingham say research shows eating vegetables makes you more attractive.

Seabrook Crisps Ltd has invested £1.5m in developing four new flavours of crisp, each with 90 per cent less salt. The new product, called Goodbye salt, Hello flavour, will be available in Jacket potato with Mediterranean tomato &herbs;Jacket potat...

Building on the success of their first visit to Fruit Logistica, Potato Council staff will again be on-hand at the show (Fruit Logistica February 9-11, Berlin) to promote the considerable benefits for growers of cultivating seed potatoes from the GB S...

The Cornish Crisp Company has been awarded SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) accreditation, a scheme designed for small food and drink manufacturers

The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) published the report 'British Frozen Food Industry – A Food Vision', conducted by Sheffield Hallam University and Refrigeration Developments & Testing Ltd.