Last week BAPL held their annual technical day in conjunction with NIAB EMR
The English Apple Man comments: The content of the day's programme was extensive, one may say comprehensive. While those interested in the detail are best served by visiting the BAPL publication of the Research programme, I will endeavour to pick out the aspects which particularly caught me attention!
BAPL CEO Ali Capper set out the future since exiting AHDB. We have had to be tactical:
Could BAPL raise a levy? - Would everyone pay? - Could we build a reserve?
Would we ever be able to do long term research again?
Ali commented: We are under development now with a new Strategic Plan for BAPL R&D with longer term, multi-year R&D projects
We will Broaden Risk Register to add to Pest & Disease and include climate change mitigation and other concerns, e.g. water, nature, nutrition.
Utilise reserves to underwrite 2-3 year plans introducing new streams of funding to bolster grower levy and enable a robust R&D
plan
"This is important as we cannot initiate new research plans which take 2-3 years to complete without ensuring the funding is in place.
The plan is to maintain levy at current rate but increase external funding!
Click on: BAPL R&D meeting, hosted by Niab on 10 February 2026
BAPL - New Streams of Funding
Innovate UK (IUK)
Competition: Defra FIP ADOPT (Accelerating Development of Practices
and Technologies): 2 out of 3 wins
Wider R&D Ecosystem
BAPL are leading discussions in the R&D ecosystem about the need for:
More applied research that directly remunerates growers for R&D actions and the risk to their crop
HCP CEO: Simon Conway & HCP Scientist Carlos Duarte
EAM comment: Simon outlined the differences between EU and UK regulations and the impact it has on our growers.
GB is increasingly being seen as commercially unattractive for Ag-Chem manufacturers; however, GB has
approved 4 new actives since Brexit v 14 in the EU (all biologicals
Essentially, all new "actives" must be trialled for safety and efficacy before permission is approved for use!
Less conventional chemistry + further losses in GB to come as renewal programme progresses in EU
On Friday 21st March 2025, the Government finally published the long overdue National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (NAP). This is a key document that should set out policy in numerous areas that we have campaigned for via the Pesticide Collaboration.
The EAM comments: As it stands, the EU legislation approval once given applies to all the crops covered within the EU. However now we are no longer a member of the EU for approval separate "country specific trials must be carried out, but many chemical companies will not carry out those trials as our market is not large enough (commercially worthwhile) resulting in UK growers having less products in their armoury to combat effectively critical pests and diseases. And if an agreement is made allowing UK to align with EU approved protectants, UK growers who currently have some key 'actives' will no longer have approval for their use! - COMPLICATED!
Simon Barnes - Simon Barnes, Programme Director Kent and Medway
Having known the GKM previous CEO Nicola Harrison for a number of years and now as she has take a post in Holland joining her husband Richard at Wageningen Research University, it was good to meet up with Simon and update on GK&M new.
Kent and Medway is home to some of the most exciting and innovative food and drink businesses in the UK and internationally. From growers of fresh fruit and vegetables, to food processes and makers, through to engineers and robotics specialists automating our supply chain. Growing Kent and Medway
PLACE BASED INNOVATION WITH NATIONAL IMPACT
What is Innovation?
UKRI definition of innovation, based on the OECD's Oslo Manual 2018, encompasses various activities that occur during the survey period. These include: The introduction of a new or improved product (goods or services) Business processes used to produce or supply all goods or services introduced, regardless of their origin.
Engagement in innovation projects that are not yet complete or abandoned Investment activities in areas such as internal research and development, training, and acquisition of external knowledge or machinery linked to innovation activities
What is changing in innovation?
The UK Industrial Strategy - no food and agri - but - digital and technology, advanced
manufacturing, energy efficiency and foundation industries (transport)
Change to regional funding - are you in a devolved authority - do you know your local growth
plan - what are the key regional sectors, in Kent and Medway they are:
Food and agri - Digital technology - Transport and logistics - Energy
Far more emphasis in later Technology Readiness Level
Application for Expression of Interest - 12th February - Result - April 2026
Co-creation May to August 2026 - Late 2026, early 2027 programme start.
Our impact on Kent and Medway's food system has national significance. We play a vital role in providing the nation with fresh produce. And as a region, we are a microcosm of issues facing communities across the UK and the world.
Below: Jonathan Blackman - Hutchinsons
Jonathan Blackman - improving Resiliance in Scab Control
Improving Robustness in Scab Control
Why?
Loss of fungicides
Restrictions on use - More and more scab susceptible apple varieties! - Pear scab on the rise?
IRIS = Improving Robustness in Scab control
Concept
Products which might fill the gaps?
Biostimulants - Elicitors - Nutrients - Biofungicides - New conventional fungicide
Untreated control - Full scab control programme - 'Light' scab control programme - Trial product
Products trialled 2021-2025
4 Biostimulants - 5 Biofungicides - 8 Nutritional Feeds - 1 Growth Regulator - 2 Traditional Fungicides
Trial overview
Fully replicated experiments managed by Oxford Agricultural Trials
Treatments applied in 400 l/ha - Base treatments applied at start of season to all plots - Dynamic design - if disease pressure is high the trial can be modified
Assessments of leaf scab made in June and August - Assessments of fruit scab August and at harvest - Yield size and quality assessed
IRIS 2021 - 2025
More than 20 products assessed - Some did not provide a reduction in scab - Others provided consistent
results.
At this point I will stop, but if readers wish to access in full detail of Jonathan's presentation
Click on: BAPL and scroll to Jonathan Blackman presentation
Apple Canker - Matevz Papp-Rupar, Niab
This presentation by Matt, which he repeated (with some additions) at The BIFGA Technical Day on Wednesday 25th February is a comprehensive overview of Canker 'history' 'impact' and research that deserves separate exclusive attention by The English Apple Man in a future EAM Journal.
My apologies for the late publication of what should have been last weeks English Apple Man Journal
That is all for this week
Take care
The English Apple Man