The UK farming industry has promised work closely with the seed potato sector and the government to ensure that the industry maintains a low level of the fungal disease blackleg. Speaking at the Seed Industry event in St Andrew’s, Scotland, AHDB Potatoes Strategy Director, Rob Clayton, said that while there are no easy answers when it comes to blackleg, the key to maintaining the high health status of the industry is collective responsibility.
The event saw a national stocktake of current management practices regarding blackleg, which will be used to drive future research and best practice recommendations.
Mr Clayton also stressed that British seed is still very attractive to foreign markets.
He said: “Freedom from key notifiable diseases such as ring rot and brown rot along with excellent low-virus status, continue to make GB-produced seed attractive under the Safe Haven scheme.
“Today we have asked every single delegate to commit to reviewing and improving their management of disease risk and we’re confident that our reputation as a high health seed producer will be maintained.”
The disease causes black rotting at the stem base.
Record levels of UK seed exports'
This was echoed by Head of Crop Exports Trade Development, Rob Burns, who said that there could be record levels of UK seed exported this year.
Mr Burns said: “The harvest looks to have a good seed fraction. This means we could see a higher volume of seed potatoes exported from the UK, up from 80,000 tonnes last export season.
“Once more Egypt will be a key market for exports; we are likely to see in excess of 50,000 tonnes sent over there.”
AHDB is also exploring other untapped markets interested in UK seed. Rob and his team will be welcoming a delegation from Russia next month to showcase the British sector and increase trade with what is potentially a very large market.
