European officials have decided to press ahead with measures to prevent the spread of a species of beetle which could otherwise prove devastating for the UK’s potato industry.

An EU standing committee has concluded that the Epitrix potato flea beetle represents a substantial threat to the industry and is expected to introduce emergency measures in a bid to prevent its spread from Spain and Portugal.

The NFU welcomed the news, saying it first became aware of the insect in spring 2010 and quickly realised it represented a substantial threat to the industry, since then it has lobbied for action to be taken to prevent the beetles’ spread.

Experts have confirmed the Epitirx beetle could wipe up to £40million off the UK potato market and would be almost impossible to eradicate and costly to control. NFU potatoes adviser Laura Drew said, “The NFU has been coordinating industry efforts and raising awareness with UK and EU supply chain organisations to lobby for emergency legislation to prevent it from spreading.

“The beetle can have a devastating impact; adult beetles feed on foliage and the damage caused can depress yields and reduce tuber quality. Perhaps even more concerning are the effects from larvae feeding activity, which produce unsightly wavy furrow marks on the surface of the tubers. Clearly, this type of defect would not be acceptable within the UK supply chain, which operates to world-leading standards.” 
 
Following the committee decision, a working party has now been organised develop draft proposals based on the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation Pest Risk Assessment.

The working party will report back in September. Although the detail is yet to be confirmed, the aim of any new legislation will be to ensure that any potatoes moved from infested areas are free of beetles and free from any soil, through washing or brushing.  This could be accompanied by an improved system for identifying consignments, and a requirement for surveys to be conducted in all member states.

“This is a really positive development and is testament to the hard work put in by NFU staff and the Potato Forum members,” said NFU Potato Forum vice chairman Alex Godfrey.

He continued, “It’s a great example of how the NFU can show leadership in working with a government agency and other stakeholders to achieve a result that is to the advantage of the industry as a whole.”