Serious potato disease under control in Wales

BRITISH officials believe the outbreak of the world’s most damaging potato disease in Wales is under control, and that it will be contained and eradicated.

Scientists will today return to the Brecon farm, where the outbreak of Ring Rot was discovered, to test more than 80,000 samples of potatoes.

Only a small proportion is expected to show any sign of infection. But the whole crop of 1,500 tonnes will be destroyed at a cost to farmer John Morgan and his family of €575,000.

Ring Rot affects only potato yields and has no impact on human health.

But the disease, which is thought to have been brought into Wales on infected Dutch seed, could potentially destroy the potato sector in Ireland if it spreads here.

The industry in Ireland is worth €174 million in annual retail sales with 832 growers producing 430,000 tonnes of potatoes at a farmgate value of €123.5 million.

Ireland’s proximity to Wales and the fact that 50,000 tonnes of Maris Piper for the chip trade are imported annually from Britain raised fears that the potato equivalent of foot and mouth could spread here.

Meanwhile, farm equipment on the Welsh farm, where the disease was discovered, is being sterilised and restrictions have been placed on the movement of potatoes from the holding.