Europe: Potato exports from the United Kingdom to the Canary Islands will resume soon.
The NFU has welcomed the lifting of many of the restrictions on potato exports to the Canary Islands.
Exports to the Canary Islands were halted following the initial discovery of the Colorado potato beetle in Kent in 2023, resulting in the loss of a major export market for some producers.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed the news of the changes in restrictions, after having worked closely with its counterparts from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the Canary Islands Inspection.
See moreFood retailers and shopkeepersLocal production marketsFruits and vegetablesThe Colorado potato beetle poses a serious threat to potato crops, as the adults and larvae feed on the foliage of potatoes and other plants in the nightshade family, and can completely strip them of their leaves if left unchecked.
Eradication
The beetle was declared eradicated late last year, following an extensive monitoring and eradication program; read the article "NFU Celebrates Eradication of Colorado Potato Beetle" .
Restrictions relating to packaging, labeling and detailed producer traceability (including identification at the plot level), as well as other specific conditions, such as restrictions relating to certain areas of origin, are no longer necessary.
Restrictions still in place
However, the requirement regarding the cleaning of potatoes and tolerance to soil type remains in effect.
In particular, a maximum soil content of 1% continues to apply, as it is considered necessary to comply with point 58.b of Part III of Annex IV of the Order of 12 March 1987, as well as to ensure that shipments are free from soil and associated harmful organisms.
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