Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2021 33 SUPPLY CHAIN Partnership e best practice guide came about from support to both Branston and Norfolk Rivers Trust through a partnership between Tesco and WWF. One of the partnership’s aims is to ‘restore nature in food production’ in a bid to address the sustainability challenges and environmental impacts of Tesco’s key supply chains, recognising the impact that food production can have on UK landscapes. WWF’s Simon Aguss said: “ e way we produce food is a major driver of species loss around the world and there’s an increasing acceptance we need to fundamentally change how we grow food. “But simple, easy changes can make a big di erence. By encouraging, rather than demanding, the adoption of farming practices that restore the health of soil and water, we’re helping Tesco demonstrate how production of healthy and a ordable food can create farming communities that thrive economically, while remaining the important custodians of nature that many farmers are proud to be.” e best practice guide builds on the work and outcomes of another WWF partnership, involving Coca-Cola, Norfolk Rivers Trust and e Rivers Trust, which has been working with farmers in East Anglian catchments since 2012. Here, improving freshwater quality has been the primary objective, alongside improved soil health and biodiversity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. e guide is divided into three sections: Pre-growing, during growing and post- harvest. Within each section, the focus is on providing growers with advice and guidance on appropriate soil and water management, and advice pertinent to the full spectrum of potato-growing situations, whether rolling chalkland, Lincolnshire silt or Somerset hills. “When faced with an ever-changing climate, preparing and following best practice can e ectively mitigate against risks such as di use pollution and soil degradation,” David said. “By adopting best practice, a grower is e ectively committing to safeguarding the continuance of potato growing on their land.” is aspect, David warns, is becoming increasingly important. “Where land is rented, or in contract arrangements, growers should give careful thought to managing the landlord relationship. As we move into a new regime of farm payments, with ELMs, landlords will not only be considering their own environmental obligations but also the value of land for future cropping. “We’re already beginning to see rental agreements that stipulate latest harvesting dates and even the type of harvesting equipment permitted,” David said. “Growers who can demonstrate good, long-term agronomic practices which maintain soils and their health, will surely be favoured.” e same approach is taken by Branston in selecting its contract growers. eir environmental achievements and pro le are taken into account when issuing contracts. “We are looking for growers who do all they can to minimise environmental impact,” David said. “ ere’s no nancial incentive to adopt best practices but bad practice is expensive and wasteful,” said David. “ ere is an increasing recognition that it is in both the growers’ and the industry’s best interests. We want to improve the image of the potato as a sustainable, wholesome crop. “Farmers and landowners have to make the decision themselves. If we don’t, then someone else may do it for them.” To download the guide visit https:// norfolkriverstrust.org/wp-content/ uploads/2020/08/Potato-Growing-Best- Practice-Guide-compressed.pdf “We’re already beginning to see rental agreements that stipulate latest harvesting dates and even the type of harvesting equipment permitted.”