Requirement for all ware potato growers to be registered with APHA in England and Wales

Over the coming weeks APHA will be working with key potato stakeholders across England and Wales to ensure all ware potato growers are aware of existing plant health requirements relating to the registration of ware growers as professional operators with APHA.

All ware potato growers in England and Wales must be registered with APHA as Professional Operators. This is so growers can be provided with a unique registration number that can be attached to ware potato loads as is required in the plant health regulations. The registration number provides both traceability and assurance that the potatoes have been grown by a registered producer.

Previously the AHDB managed the ware potato register. The maintenance of that register is now the responsibility of the competent authorities in England and Wales. To maintain the register growers must fill out a registration form once, which can be accessed on GOV.UK.

Following a successful registration, you will be provided with a unique registration number. You must ensure your registration number is put on the packaging, or in the case of loose-loaded potatoes transported in bulk, on the accompanying documents.

Growers only need to amend the registration form subsequently if their details or type of business changes.

Failure to become registered will mean you are not compliant with the regulations. Defra urge all ware potato growers to check their records to ensure they are registered as a professional operator and are using the unique registration number for their produce