New research stores at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research (SBCSR) will be officially opened on 2^nd September by the government spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, Lord Taylor of Holbeach and Potato Council chairman Allan Stevenson.

Potato industry delegates are invited to attend seminars focusing on issues such as long-term energy savings and sustainability as well as looking round the new construction that makes the Lincolnshire centre one of the most sophisticated crop storage research establishments in the world.

Topics on the agenda will include a review of the impact of climate change on potato storage with Professor Gareth Edwards-Jones from Bangor University, an industry perspective on sustainability from Dr David Nelson of Branston and optimisation of storage costs with Jay Wootton from Andersons The Farm Business Consultants.

“We are looking forward immensely to the opening of this exciting new facility at Sutton Bridge,” says Adrian Cunnington, Head of SBCSR. “Climate change is already affecting our industry and Lord Taylor, as spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, is ideally placed to understand issues challenging our industry.

“Understanding sustainability is key to the future and improvements can offer substantial benefits, often after as little as two years. However, growers should also be looking at their long term strategy for storage and contemplating investments like the one Allan Stevenson has just completed on his own farm, that will provide for the next ten to twenty years.”

For more information, levy-payers should contact Miya Kotecha at Potato Council on 0247 647 8782, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.potato.org.uk/events