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.
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