A potato safe haven scheme under which British seed potato producers will have the opportunity to become accredited is fundamental to prevent notifiable diseases like ring rot becoming endemic in Britain, says the British Potato Council (BPC).

Under proposals for the voluntary scheme, producers would sign up as individuals rather than as a region, although producer groups or neighbours would be able to sign up together to create an even safer situation.

"The industry has a great opportunity to protect its ring rot free status and to significantly reduce the risk posed by other potato seed-related diseases," said Iain Dykes, BPC seed and export supply chain manager speaking to delegates at the BPC-organised Seed Industry Event, Crieff.

To become accredited producers need to demonstrate they carry out basic on-farm hygiene to their storage facilities, handling equipment and transportation. What's more, they will be required to source seed that has been directly multiplied from nuclear stocks.

"We have worked hard to ensure that accreditation will not add significant costs to businesses in an industry where margins are already tight," Dykes said. "While some investment will be needed this will be a fraction of the £11 million it would cost the industry if ring rot became endemic in Britain.

"We were told by American researcher Dr Neil Gudmestad at this week's Seed Industry Event that safeguard measures like increased inspections and steam cleaning stores and bulk containers have worked in the United States to reduce the threat of ring rot. However in the year 2003-04 the US industry still incurred $11 million of direct losses due to ring rot, we must learn from this," added Mr Dykes.

The safe haven scheme has been discussed widely and received the backing of many organisations within the GB potato supply chain. It is anticipated the scheme will roll out during 2005.

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