Seed Potatoes Must be .Carried in Bigger Lots
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SCOTTISH potato growers, who pro.....)duce the bulk of the seed for the Nation's potatoes, have been told by the Ministry of War Transport that, next year, they will have to correct their transport habits, and that if they fail to do so, official pressure will be brought to bear. The chief complaint against the growers has been that supplies have been sent in lots of 2 tons or under and that, altogether, 20,000 tons have been transported in such lots with a consequent wastage of transport. A meeting of the potato-trade representatives, Ministry of Food officials and the N.F.U. was convened by the Ministry of War Transport, which indicated that strong reasons would require to be advanced to avoid the change.
In discussions which have followed recent meetings it was thought that the problem might be overcome by the pooling of all supplies in certain Scottish areas, the bulk transport of these to selected English points, and the distribution by local transporters from these to local growers.
Another proposal was that rates, which at present give cheap transport for potatoes should be stepped up, so that the minimum tonnage to which these rates applied be made 5 tons.
The-seed-potato trade is, incidentally. likely to be greatly expanded this coming season, for the Ministry of Food has indicated that an extra 80,000 tons of seed over last year's record tonnage will be wanted.