There have now been outbreaks of the disease in seven of the 15 EU member states with 143 cases recorded in ware potatoes and most worryingly, 23 in seed potatoes. The disease has also been discovered in Portugal in a stock of Dutch seed sent to the country for official trials.

'Ring rot has been well established for some time in Germany and Denmark, but findings of the disease in countries such as the Netherlands and Sweden are particularly concerning,' said BPC head of seed and export Alasdair MacLennanS.'to date none of the member states where the disease has been found has been successful in achieving complete eradication.' The BPC has warned of 'huge' effects should the disease become established in the UK. 'Eradication is both difficult and costly, and so it's essential we keep this disease out in the first place,' said MacLennan. 'The greatest risk of infection would be through planting infected seed.' The BPC is urging the entire industry from grower to retailer to remain vigilant.

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