IFA calls for ban on potato imports

THE Irish Farmers Association yesterday called for a ban on all potato imports until such time as the full extent of the ring rot outbreak in Wales is known and measures are put in place here to deal with the situation.

The disease has no implications for human health, but could wipe out the industry in Ireland due to the high-concentration in growing areas.

Department of Agriculture and Food officials and the IFA met yesterday to review the measures in place and the implications in the event of an outbreak spreading from Britain or the continent.

IFA national potato committee chairman John Sheridan said all potato imports must be stopped until proper sampling procedures are put in place where all loads on entry to the State would be tested and deemed clear before reaching their destination.

He said he was concerned about some media reports suggesting that less than satisfactory measures are being put in place by the British authorities.

As yet, the destination of three loads of seed, which left the infected farm in mid-Wales to go to other areas of Britain, have not been made known.

"We are continuing to liaise with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and Britain as this outbreak has serious economic consequences for the industry north and south," he said.

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

Britain's Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said everything is being done to contain the spread of the disease from the infected farm and to trace any related potato stocks.

"We have no evidence that this is more than an isolated case but we are carrying out further investigation," a spokesman said.