UK: Infected EU potato imports another threat to UK agri-food industry
Reports that Ring Rot has been confirmed in two consignments of ware potatoes imported into the UK from Poland has been described by Carla Lockhart MP as very alarming.
Ring Rot is caused by the bacterium Clavibacter Sependonicus and is a notifiable disease in Northern Ireland. The potatoes tested positive during a routine inspection carried out by the UK Plant Health Service (PHS).
Ms Lockhart, the DUP’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson in Westminster, said: “GB, Northern Ireland and the republic of Ireland are free of Ring Rot. The disease favours cool climates and could easily establish itself within the UK, causing substantial yield losses and economic problems for the potato sector.
“The PHS has confirmed that tracing of the affected consignments has been completed at several locations. Remaining ware potato stocks at the source of origin in Poland have been destroyed.
Fuente: farminglife.com
