In Poland, an infection with brown rot has been discovered in potatoes imported from Egypt. This is announced by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture. The potatoes were imported via another European Member State. Earlier this year, an infection was also found in Russia.
The Polish phytosanitary service Państwowa Inspekcja Ochrony Roślin i Nasiennictwa (PIORN) has found the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum in 2 batches of potatoes from Egypt. That is what the Polish Ministry of Agriculture makes known. This bacterium is responsible for the highly contagious disease brown rot. This is the second time in 2 years that the service has found brown rot in Egyptian potatoes.
1.400 controls
The potatoes were imported to Poland via another European member state. The ministry has not announced which country this is. The phytosanitary service PIORN carried out more than 5 inspections in the first 1.400 months of this year. In 9 cases something was wrong and 7 times it involved an incomplete or missing certificate. Ralstonia solanacearum was found in 2 cases. The service has informed the European Commission (EC) about the quarantine organism.
Russia
The import of Egyptian potatoes to Russia was restricted at the end of March, after government services reported brown rot found in 2 loads of potatoes from that country. The Egyptian government denied that the entire import was restricted, but that it only concerned 2 specific regions. Exports to Russia are of great importance to Egypt. In 2017, this market was worth $118 million, compared to $45 million in 2016. In 2011, potato imports were also stopped by Russia.
The current import ban will be lifted on June 6 writes an Egyptian news site, based on statements made by the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry. The ban applied to 8 cultivation areas. The decision follows discussions with Russian government services.
Sjoemelpiepers
Polish potato growers have taken to the streets several times in recent months protest at the low prices for their products. It is also a thorn in the side that imported potatoes are sold under the Polish flag. The Polish phytosanitary service has therefore carried out more frequent and stricter checks on importers and wholesalers on markets. Nearly 2.700 'irregularities' were found during 100 checks. This also includes turning potatoes.
Inaccuracies were also found at the supermarket chains. Of the more than 100 companies inspected, 40 were in default. This includes the Danish supermarket chain Netto, which sells Spanish potatoes as Polish ones. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the company.