Dangerous potatoes: The State Inspectorate for Plant Protection and Seed is investigating Polish potatoes. This is a consequence of events from Great Britain. During routine control of potatoes from Poland Ring bacteriosis was discovered in three samples with different manufacturers. Hence the explanatory proceedings of the Polish inspection.
Controls on the border: The British on the speech of Clavibacter Sephedonicus alerted at the end of March. They have been leading since then Increased control of edible potatoes from Poland. Before they get to the market, they are stored at checkpoints until confirmation of the lack of illness. There must be at least 400 potatoes from one party. The British plant protection service cooperates in this matter with the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) in Poland.
The government will pay for the test: The Ministry of Agriculture announced in February that will reduce the fees for laboratory tests of potatoes intended for planting. “This solution has been introduced to support farmers in limiting the occurrence of diseases caused by Clavibacter Sepddonicus (ring bacteriosis)” – we read in the communiqué. The additional payment will cover 90 percent. test costs.
The most important prevention: This bacterium is transmitted together with potato tubers, especially intended for planting, also with soil, on sacks, means of transport, agricultural machinery, etc. “The basic way to prevent bacterial spread is to follow the principles of phytosanitarian hygiene, but the most important is care for healthy material used for planting. Studying potatoes before blowing up gives great benefits. First of all, material with known health status will be used for planting, and thus, a bacterium will not be dragged on the farm fields ” – explains the ministry.
What is Clavibacter Sephedonicus? The bacterium does not pose any threat to human and animal health – it is only harmful to plants. “Despite a significant improvement in the phytosanitary state of potato crops in our country and a significant reduction in the level of paralysis of their CS bacterium – This level is the lowest in 20 years, So from the moment of Poland's accession to the European Union – this bacterium is still sporadically detected in the tubers of potatoes produced by Polish farmers, “the ministry informs.
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Sources: Wp, PAP, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture