Potato industry on high alert as ring rot hits Wales

THE country’s multi-million euro potato industry could be destroyed if an outbreak of ring rot disease in Wales arrives here on an infected load, it was claimed last night.

Outbreaks of the disease, which has no implications for the food chain, have also been discovered in a number of EU countries. IFA potato committee chairman John Sheridan said the Department of Agriculture must test all imported potatoes. “This is the foot-and-mouth disease of potatoes and Ireland’s excellent plant health status must be protected or the consequences for both the seed and ware potato sectors will be dire,” he said.

Mr Sheridan said the disease was of particular concern to potato growers here due to the proximity of Wales to Ireland.