British Potato Council defends its decision on levy rebate

The British Potato Council has hit back at claims it treated some growers unfairly by refusing to provide a rebate on their levy after their crops were destroyed by the summer floods.In a statement released yesterday (Thursday, January 31) the BPC said it sympathised with the farmers but had found it ‘impossible’ to devise a fair levy relief system.

The statement said: “If the Council were to introduce levy relief, in response to the current difficulties, then that could have a very severe effect on the BPC’s finances.

“It would also set a precedent, which would have very significant ramifications for the future.

“The BPC levy should be seen as an industry investment for the future, not as a tax;the levy income is needed for the activities which the BPC has committed to carry out on behalf of the industry.”