Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has had with levy payers and businesses affected by the withdrawal of the horticulture levy; and what steps are being taken to ensure they are informed of alternative sources of support.

Following the horticulture sector’s vote to end the statutory levy, AHDB has confirmed that 1,260 levy payers paid levy in the final 2021/22 levy year. AHDB then needed to use the residual levy funds for the benefit of the horticulture sector. Following engagement with the industry and discussion with the British Growers Association and horticulture crop associations an industry-led proposal emerged to fund sector-led projects through 22 crop associations, with benefits available to all growers, including non-members. This approach has farming union support. As benefits are collective, the proportion of former levy payers who will benefit cannot be meaningfully calculated. Horticulture businesses can access wider Defra support, including the Farming Innovation Programme, subject to eligibility.