How
the HDC Began
Until the mid-1980s virtually all research and development
in horticulture was funded by the Government. However,
following a review, the Government took the view that it
would be better if the near-market R&D needs of the
industry were decided and funded by growers, leaving Government
to concentrate its resources largely on basic and strategic
research.
Following extensive consultations with industry it was
decided that the fragmented and varying nature of the grower
community meant that market forces alone could not be relied
on to produce a satisfactory support structure of applied
research for the industry. A collective approach, underpinned
by statutory regulations, would be needed.
So, the Horticultural Development Company was established
on 1 July 1986 with a remit to fund research and development
and communicate results to growers. On 1 April 2003, the
HDC were given responsibility for near-market R&D for
the apple and pear industry.
Following the Radcliffe Review in 2005, to assess the structure and efficiency of all Agricultural levy boards, the government decided to establish a single levy board called the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB). On 1 April 2008, the Horticultural Development Company took over the management of the levy board activities for the horticultural sector of the AHDB. |
