Ring rot is a bacterial disease that affects potatoes. It is not airborne and does not survive in soil without a host crop, but it can survive for some time on machinery, handling equipment and stores. Ring rot is primarily introduced by the planting of infected seed potatoes. Under Council Directive 93/85/EEC, all EU member states are obliged to conduct annual surveys for ring rot. The directive lays down detailed measures which must be observed in relation to the detection, prevention, spread and eradication of the pathogen. Some 600 samples were taken under the survey across the entire potato sector last year. This involved the national crop of seed and ware and imports from the EU and third countries. The sampling regime is based on risk analysis. To date, all samples have proved negative for ring rot.
A single interception in Wales on potatoes originating in the Netherlands does not constitute a valid or sustainable reason for a complete ban on potato trade from the UK. We will continue to monitor the situation in that country closely, however, in consultation with the authorities there. Testing for ring rot is being reviewed in the context of the risks involved. All commercial growers are being asked to identify their seed source with a view to identifying risk material. A joint review of strategies to combat the risk of infection is under way between my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland.
