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Seed Potato Sampling for Brown Rot and Ring Rot imports

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  5. Seed Potato Sampling for Brown Rot and Ring Rot imports

Since 30 April 2024, all imported high-risk and medium risk plants and plant products must come through either a Border Control Post (BCP) or Control Point (CP) where identity and physical checks may be carried out for the presence of quarantine organisms. Please note that checks will no longer take place at Places of Destination (PoDs) as currently happens.  

Being included within the category of ‘high risk plants’, imported seed potatoes are also subject to systematic sampling and laboratory testing to assess for the presence of latent harmful quarantine organisms, even in the absence of visual symptoms.  This is in addition to the visual inspections taking place at the BCP/CP with laboratory confirmation being required in cases where suspicious symptoms are observed.  

Imported seed potatoes for ware production may require a sample to be taken for testing for the latent presence of Brown Rot (BR) (Ralstonia solanacearum) and/or Ring Rot (RR) (Clavibacter sepedonicus) for this purpose.   

A physical check will be completed at the BCP or CP including visual inspection for any symptoms, as well as latent sampling where required:  

  • If there is no suspicion of a quarantine pest or disease (QPD), the seed potatoes will be released from import controls and can move to the destination point.  
  • The Seed potato importer will be notified if a sample is taken and must wait for the laboratory result before planting the seed potatoes. APHA will e-mail a letter when a sample is taken to the e-mail address provided on the pre-notification. The Seed potato importer will also need to notify the person in control of the seed potatoes, if it isn’t them, and ensure that the seed potatoes are not at any risk of contaminating any other seed potatoes within the store whilst awaiting the results of the lab test. 
  • Laboratory bacteriology testing has around a 5-day turnaround time, with an additional 2 working days to confirm any unclear negatives with notification of any suspect positive results usually within 5 working days.
  • Please note that BR and RR Regulations require confirmation of a positive laboratory result using either a bioassay &/or host plant which takes 6 weeks in the case of BR and 8 weeks in the case of RR. The results of any screening tests will be provided to the Plant Health and Seed Inspectors (PHSI) as they become available.
  • In the meantime, the seed potatoes can be decanted into labelled boxes at the grower's risk, but please note that any positive findings will result in destruction of these boxes as well as the seed.  
  • If there is a suspicion of the presence of a QPD as a result of the visual inspection, the seed potatoes will be held at the BCP or CP, within the existing containers and possibly on the lorry, until the laboratory result is known. 

Seed potato importers should be aware that in the event of a sample being taken for laboratory analysis:  

  • You must not plant the seed potatoes before written confirmation from the competent authority that the sample result is negative. APHA will e-mail the importer when a result is received to the e-mail address provided on the pre-notification. Seed potato importers will need to notify the person in control of the seed if it isn’t them. 
  • In order to mitigate the biosecurity risk, seed potatoes awaiting the latent sample result must be stored in a separate area, away from other plants/plant material to avoid cross contamination in a case of a positive result. 
  • If you decide to decant the seed potatoes into boxes before the laboratory confirmation, and the result is positive you will be required to destroy the wooden boxes used for decanting under notice. 
  • In a case of a positive result, please be aware that the seed potatoes will not be able to be returned to the exporter (as they have already been released from custom controls into free circulation) and importers have to undertake the cost of any failed consignments. This means that you will have to destroy the consignment and any boxes used for decanting as per the regulations at your own cost. 
  • Following this guidance will mitigate the risk to your business from quarantine diseases being found in seed potatoes that you have imported. However, please be aware that any remedial action following a positive finding will be at your own risk and cost.

Imports (Scotland): Seed Potato Sampling for Brown Rot and Ring Rot  

It is illegal to import seed potatoes into Scotland from any country outside of the UK, other than for specific trial purposes e.g. National List trials. This type of material, e.g. for trials, must be notified to SASA prior to import and must be delivered directly to SASA for testing for Brown Rot, Ring Rot, Dickeya and PSTV. 

Seed potatoes entering Scotland from other UK countries are also subject to testing to maintain Scotland’s high health status. These must be notified to SASA or the local area office 48 hours before arrival and must be stored separately from other plants/plant material. A sample will be taken by a Scottish Government inspector and taken to SASA for testing for Brown Rot, Ring Rot and Dickeya. The potatoes must not be planted until notification of a negative result is received from SASA.