Ring Rot discovered at 8 potato farms in the Netherlands

The Dutch agency nVWA, responsible for phytosanitary inspections has discovered the potato disease ring rot at 8 potato farms in the South of thne Netherlands (Zuid Holland and Zeeland). The infected lots are identified and the potatoes are removed from the market. Ring rot is a contagious potato disease that poses no risk to humans.

The nVWA identified the contamination after the German government in early March reported the discovery of ring rot in potatoes grown using Dutch seed potatoes in 2010. These potatoes were obtained from a seed potato grower on Goeree-Overflakkee. This farmer used a portion of the seed on his own farm, exported a portion to Germany and sold part of the lot in the Netherlands. In the progeny of this seed grower ring rot is found.

Consequently the nVWA launched an investigation into all progeny in 2011 from this grower in all varieties. This turned up 7 cases of ring rot is found in the Netherlands. Also, the nVWA research to all parties of the seed grower of the crop from 2011, including the part that was already delivered elsewhere in the Netherlands. From that harvest ring rot was found in 2 batches. The final results of examinations of samples taken in May and June are known. The potatoes of the harvest from 2011 from the corresponding seed grower can not be used as seed potatoes.