Potato imports threaten UK crop

No sooner does the risk of importing exotic diseases such as dickeya in seed potatoes appear to be receding than another potential source of harm to the health of the UK crop has reared its head.

Because the UK potato crop currently being lifted is back both in yield and in quality, a number of major prepackers are now importing potatoes from mainland Europe to fulfil their contracts.

Although these potatoes are for eating, there is a potential problem with disease being introduced to farms.

All importers are supposed to contact the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) agency which monitors plant health with details of where the potatoes originated.

Import of Ware Potatoes to Scotland: Rules and Regulation

While there are no concerns about any potatoes coming from France, where some of the imports are known to originate, ring rot and other potentially dangerous bacterial diseases are endemic in Poland and this is the one European country which has produced more potatoes than are needed for its own consumption this year.