All potatoes imported from the Netherlands will in future have to be pre-notified to Defra in a move to strengthen protection against the risk of potato ring rot.

These measures, which are similar to arrangements already in place for imports of German and Polish potatoes, are being introduced in response to new outbreaks of ring rot in the Netherlands. While the number of outbreaks in the Netherlands is still substantially fewer than in Germany and Poland, the amount of potatoes imported from the Netherlands is greater, particularly of seed potatoes where the potential consequences arising from an outbreak are of most concern.

The measures, which take effect on 7 March 2005, require businesses importing Dutch potatoes into England to provide the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate with specified information about the consignment at least two days in advance of introduction. Importers of seed potato consignments arriving after 1 September 2004, but before the Order comes into force, should notify similar information no later than 21 March 2005. This will allow targeted monitoring to take place and will improve traceability of potatoes being moved.

BACKGROUND

1. The majority of seed potatoes imported to the UK are from the Netherlands. In 2003, Customs and Excise recorded a total of 9,795 tonnes of seed potatoes imported from the EU, with 7,166 tonnes from the Netherlands. For fresh ware potatoes (maincrop and new) the situation is different with only 11, 551 tonnes, from a total of 195,691 tonnes from the EU, recorded as being imported from the Netherlands in 2003.

2. There have now been four confirmed outbreaks of ring rot in the Netherlands 2004 seed potato harvest.

3. The notification requirement means that anyone importing potatoes from the Netherlands must provide the following information:

(a) the proposed time, date and means of introduction;
(b) the proposed point of entry into England;
(c) the intended use of the potatoes;
(d) the proposed destination of the potatoes;
(e) the variety of the potatoes;
(f) the quantity of potatoes; and
(g) the producer's identification number.

4. Importers of seed potato consignments arriving after 1 September 2004, but before the Order comes into force, should notify similar information no later than 21 March 2005.

5. The details must be provided to the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate at:

The Quadrant
Newburn Riverside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 8NZ

Fax: 0191 229 5501
Email: phsi-north@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Notification of potatoes arriving in other parts of the UK should be given to the relevant Plant Health Service.

6. The necessary legislation to establish this notification requirement is being laid before Parliament and will come into force on 7 March 2005. Similar requirements are being introduced in the rest of the UK.