Potato ring rot has been found in potatoes of the variety Sante.

The potatoes originated from a grower in Herefordshire and were being packed at a firm in Cambridgeshire when suspect symptoms were identified.

The firm acted promptly and responsibly and notified the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate on Friday 30 July, who arranged an immediate visit.

Subsequent testing at the Central Science Laboratory on Saturday 31 July by two separate methods (immunofluorescence (IF) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) gave positive results. An eggplant test, as required under EC legislation, will be carried out, but there is no doubt about the results of testing already carried out.

There has been good co-operation with both the grower concerned and the packing company and holding action has been taken to prevent the use or movement of material or equipment which may present a risk.

A tracing and testing programme has been initiated, which will include an investigation into the origin of the potatoes supplied to the grower in Herefordshire.

BACKGROUND

1. Full details about ring rot can be found on Defra's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/ring.htm including Defra's contingency plan for dealing with outbreaks http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/ring.pdf

2. The UK's first ring rot outbreak was in 2003. Details are available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/ring/repfinal.htm

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Related release: Potato ring rot has been found in England in potatoes of the variety Sante