Washington, DC
April 12, 2007
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
today announced that Mexico has reopened its market to Idaho
potatoes following the completion of a scientific evaluation.
Mexico temporarily suspended imports of Idaho potatoes in April
2006 following the first-time U.S. detection of potato cyst
nematode (PCN), Globodera pallida, in Idaho.
After conducting a detailed scientific evaluation, Mexican
officials concluded that the isolated detection presents no risk
of introducing PCN in Mexico if the United States takes the
following actions:
- The potatoes must be
shipped from production fields outside the PCN-regulated
area;
- All Idaho potatoes
produced in 2006 must be certified free of PCN based on soil
samples taken during the growing season or post-harvest
prior to export;
- Beginning with the 2007
growing season, all Idaho potato fields must be tested
before planting and certified free of PCN; and
- Post-harvest soil samples
from Idaho packing sheds must periodically be tested to
ensure they are free of PCN.
The U.S. potato industry estimates
that Idaho potato exports to Mexico will approach $20-25 million
with the 2007-2008 shipping season.
USDA in coordination with the Idaho State Department of
Agriculture confirmed a finding of PCN April 19, 2006, in a soil
sample collected from a potato processing facility in Idaho.
PCN is a major pest of potato crops in cool-temperate areas. It
primarily affects plants within the potato family including
tomatoes, eggplants and some weeds. If left uncontrolled,
nematodes can cause up to 80 percent yield loss. The potato cyst
nematode is widely distributed in many potato-growing regions
throughout the world. In North America, the nematode is also
known to be present on the island of Newfoundland, Canada.
Potato cyst nematode infestations may be associated with patches
of poor growth. Affected potato plants may exhibit yellowing,
wilting or death of foliage--none of which has been observed in
Idaho potato fields. |
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