Vivian Powell ( Viv ) , who has led the AHDB programme to fork out authorisation for plant auspices products for the horticulture industry for nigh 20 long time , has retired .
Having secured nearly 2,000 applications for Minor Use approvals since 1995 , Viv go out a legacy that directly touch on most UK gardening job .
Her tenure has included superintend a number of unmanageable challenges that the industry has face , not least the late departure of a number of primal actives .
Viv said : “ of late the variety from risk - based assessments of active voice to Hazard - based has seen losses of numerous of import actives and products . Integrated Pest Management is increasingly important and the piece of work of AHDB through SCEPTREplus and other initiatives will , I hope , provide growers with much needed shaft to continue sustainable product method acting . ”
Ian Holmes , R&D Chairman of the British Carrot Grower Association , say : “ We would wish to give thanks Viv for everything she has done in her efforts for the horticultural industriousness , and particularly the carrot and parsnip growers .
“ Her calm and methodical approach as well as enthusiasm and great sensory faculty of humour made working with her a echt pleasure and has eased the letdown as well as hyperbolise the success . We will miss Viv greatly , but will be forever thankful for her huge contribution to our industry . ”
Viv ’s noesis and expertness cumulate over her career has been passed on to Bolette Palle Neve . Bolette will take up the role of Senior Crop Protection Scientist to keep the squad ’s body of work , which remains a in high spirits precedency for AHDB Horticulture .
Head of Crop Health & Protection , Jon Knight , suppose : “ Viv has made an over-the-top contribution to the horticulture industriousness over many years and her almost encyclopaedic cognition of products and process has been priceless in keeping a provision of suitable craw protection mathematical product for the many crop sectors .
“ While Viv ’s workplace has always been as part of a squad , her power and willingness to operate with both the producers and craw protection manufacture has been good on all slope . Thankfully she has willingly pass on the accumulated knowledge and wiseness to Bolette who we hope will keep the excellent work . ”
Viv originally began work as an Assistant Scientific Officer working on greenhouse crop at Stockbridge House Experimental Horticulture Station on 8 March 2025 .
Having made a number of good contacts and better ally over those four decades , Viv says she will miss the people the most . “ With MAFF , HRI , HDC and AHDB colleagues , external contacts with growers , adviser , panel member , agriculturalist connexion , crop shelter companies , researcher , contact from oversea and CRD personnel . I have made many friends and I really go for that they will keep in touch when I am no longer working in the industry , ” she aver .
