In Perthshire whole field of freshly planted potatoes had to be destroyed last week when the seed was found to have been infected with Dickeya solani.
Testing found that the imported seed was contaminated and a destruction order was served by the Scottish government.
A spokesman for the government said: “The reaction of growers and the wider industry to our decisive response has been overwhelmingly positive. Scotland has a proud history of quality potato production and we will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to protect that reputation.
“The infection was identified following the notification which is required by law for all non-Scottish seed potatoes brought into Scotland. The potatoes were ordered to be immediately lifted and disposed of.”
Measures have since been taken to prevent any contamination of other crops, including the cleaning of machinery and equipment and a ban on planting potatoes in the affected field until 2012.
According to the Scottish executive, Dickeya solani has never been found in potatoes grown from Scottish seed. The regional government recently introduced a ban on planting any seed known to be infected with this bacterium as well as the powers to control it if found in growing crops. The spokesman said: The detection and destruction of this infected crop - which is restricted to one field on one farm - shows that these measures are working to protect the Scottish potato industry from this new disease.”
