BPC issues latest blight warnings.

The British Potato Council (BPC) has warned growers to be vigilant with blight protection in the run-up to the maincrop potato harvest.

The latest cases have been confirmed in growing crops in the areas of Berwick-upon-tweed and the Lammermuir Hills in the Scottish Borders and in Woodbridge in Suffolk. Blight is also confirmed in a potato dump in the Holbeach area in Lincolnshire. This brings the total to 27 cases in the last 30 days.

Looking forward to next season the BPC are urging growers to consider potential sources of blight from harvest. The BPC's Mark Prentice said: “Where you site dumps of out-grades is extremely important. If it's hidden out of sight, it's more easily forgotten and left uncontrolled.”

Meanwhile, Prentice is running a blight scout workshop at the BP2003 event. He said: “The campaign is a service for levy payers and we want feedback. The workshop provides this opportunity.” The workshop will be held on both day at 1.40pm on stand 124.