An extensive investigation continues following the finding of potato ring rot in Sante potatoes on July 30 2004.

Defra has confirmed that the two stocks of seed used to grow the potatoes in which ring rot was discovered originated in the Netherlands. Defra is liaising closely with the plant health authorities in the Netherlands to establish whether this seed may have been infected, or whether there is another explanation for the disease. All possibilities are being explored.

One other grower (in Lincolnshire) is known to have received seed potatoes in 2003 from one of the suppliers in the Netherlands and stocks at this premises have been included in the investigation.

All affected potatoes from the packing firm in Cambridgeshire where the disease was identified have been disposed of by landfill. Cleansing and disinfection has been completed at this premises, which means that it can operate normally again.

One consignment of Estima potatoes from the farm in Herefordshire which supplied the potatoes to Cambridgeshire was exported to Norway in 2004. Whilst there is currently no evidence that these potatoes were infected with ring rot, Norwegian authorities have been notified.

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