TESTS FOR potato ring rot will continue on four farms as this year‘s crop is lifted.

Potatoes picked at John Mercer‘s farm in Hereford, the source of a batch of potatoes confirmed to be infected in July, are to be tested. 

Crops from a further three farms – in Lincs, Norfolk and Newcastle – will also be examined for signs of the disease. 

The three farms all received seed from the same supplier, based in the Netherlands, which supplied Mr Mercer. 

Ring rot was discovered on Jul 30 in a batch of potatoes sent by Mr Mercer to a Cambs- based pack house.

Tests have been carried out on the remaining stocks at Mr Mercer‘s farm and two out of the 12 stocks tested have turned up positive results.

The two stocks identified to be carrying ring rot were both of the Sante variety and associated with seed potatoes of this variety supplied from the Netherlands for planting in 2003.