Zimbabwe has put a halt on importing potatoes and related goods from South Africa, following the detection of the pepper ringspot virus in South African potato cultivars.
Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, stated that this suspension is aimed at safeguarding local farmers. He explained, "We received a report of a new virus in South Africa which is affecting potatoes there. We are really on the watch because that might also affect our potatoes and potato farmers. We will restrict from now the importation of potatoes so we can protect our farmers from the virus as we do further assessments."
The suspension aligns with the Plant Pest and Disease Act Chapter 19.08. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) disclosed last month that the Pepper ringspot virus (PEPRSV) had been found in various South African provinces, including a commercial potato farm in Polokwane, Capricorn District Municipality, Limpopo Province in October 2022.
PEPRSV is primarily spread by nematodes, tiny worm-like creatures in the soil, which feed on the roots of infected plants, thereby transmitting the virus to healthy plants.
Source: pindula.co.zw