PRO/PL> Bacterial ring rot, potato - UK (Wales)

[Brian Edmonds]

BACTERIAL RING ROT, POTATO - UK (WALES)
*********************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: 26 Feb 2004
From: ProMED-mail <promed at promedmail.org>
Source:  Farming Life [edited]
<http://www.farminglife.coml>

Ringrot Outbreak In Wales Contained
--------------------------------------
Tracing and testing work associated with potato stocks at the farm in 
Wales, where an outbreak of potato ring rot was detected, has confirmed 
that the outbreak has been contained and that no other farms have grown or 
received infected stocks.

More than 165 000 potato tubers were tested during the outbreak. On the 
outbreak farm, one stock of the Provento variety and one stock of a 
Provento/Almera admixture were found to be infected.

Apart from these 2 stocks, all tests were negative, including for the 
remaining 20 seed potato stocks on the outbreak farm.

The testing included: all potato stocks on the outbreak farm; other stocks 
of Provento from the United Kingdom 2003 harvest; other stocks of Almera 
from the UK 2003 harvest; seed potatoes from the UK 2003 harvest grown from 
2002 stock from the outbreak farm; seed potatoes from stocks with a clonal 
link to stocks grown on the outbreak farm in previous years; seed potatoes 
on farms with a machinery link to the outbreak farm.

A substantial testing programme was also carried out in the Netherlands, 
where the Provento seed potatoes grown on the outbreak farm originated.

A Lessons Learned review will be initiated shortly, to assess the handling 
of this first outbreak, and UK controls against ring rot.

This review is being planned in consultation with the National Farmers' 
Union (NFU) and will provide an opportunity for all those affected, 
including individuals, trade organisations and Government officials, to 
contribute their views.

Ben Bradshaw, Plant Health Minister, said: "It is extremely good news that 
this outbreak has been contained.  This is thanks to good co-operation with 
those in the industry and the substantial Government resources committed to 
the containment exercise."

Potato ring rot is a serious disease and its establishment in the UK would 
have significant consequences for potato growers and others.

"It is now time to take a step back to assess the handling of this outbreak 
and the controls that are in place against ring rot."

------------------------------
ProMED-mail
<promed at promedmail.org>

[The attention to detail exercised by the those responsible for testing 
potato stocks is very impressive.  Kudos to those who contained this 
outbreak of bacterial ring rot (caused by _Clavibacter michiganensis_ ssp. 
_sepedonicus_).

It will be very interesting to see what recommendations ensue from the 
final report of this incident. - Mod.DH]

[see also:
2003
----
Clavibacter, potato - UK (England) (02) 20031120.2875
Bacterial ring rot, potato - UK (Wales): 1st report 20031116.2843]
......................................mpp/dh/pg/dk

*##########################################################*
ProMED-mail makes every effort to  verify  the reports  that
are  posted,  but  the  accuracy  and  completeness  of  the
information,   and  of  any  statements  or  opinions  based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by  ProMED-mail.   ISID
and  its  associated  service  providers  shall not be  held
responsible for errors or omissions or  held liable for  any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon  posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>.
Send  all  items  for   posting  to:   promed at promedmail.org
(NOT to  an  individual moderator).  If you do not give your
full name and  affiliation, it  may  not  be  posted.   Send
commands  to  subscribe/unsubscribe,   get  archives,  help,
etc. to: majordomo at promedmail.org.    For assistance  from a
human  being  send  mail  to:   owner-promed at promedmail.org.
############################################################
############################################################