IN BRIEF

12 October 2001

IN BRIEF

&#8226 NEW precautions to keep potato ring rot out of the country come into force next Monday, after which importers of potatoes from Germany must notify the relevant UK authorities in writing at least two days before produce arrives.

DEFRA says the requirement will allow it monitor the trade and target inspection to guard against introducing the highly contagious disease which can cause severe economic loss.

The move comes after bacterial ring rot (Clavibacter michiganensis) was found in German consignments earlier this year.