UK seed potatoes should soon be allowed onto the Chinese markets. A landmark agreement was reached late last month between plant health minister Margaret Beckett and her Chinese counterpart Du Qinglin during the UK minister’s visit to China.

The agreement covers the plant-health requirements for the import of seed potatoes. Last week the Chinese authority of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine (AQSIQ) visited the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency and the Scottish Crop Research Institute as well as seed potato companies in Scotland to undertake a pest and risk assessment of Scottish seed potatoes.

"The significance of this agreement is that it is the first step in opening the Chinese potato market to British seed, UK bred varieties and UK technology and products," said Nigel Kerby, md of Mylnefield Research Services Ltd, the commercial arm of SCRI.

To facilitate the move into the Chinese market, Scottish Potato Technology Ltd was formed in 2002. It is a consortium of leading companies in the Scottish potato industry and will now act as a one-stop-shop for the Chinese potato industry. The partners include Greenvale AP, Higgins, MRS, Reekie Manufacturing and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency.

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