UK: Tighter controls on Polish potatoes

Potato ring rot is a disease caused by the bacterium Clavibacter sepedonicus (EPPO abbreviation - CORBSE). In the European Union, it has the status of a quarantine disease and is subject to mandatory control in all Member States. Supervision over the control of C. sepedonicus in Poland is carried out by the State Plant Health and Seed Inspection (PIORiN).

Ring rot in Polish potatoes

During routine checks, potato ring rot has been detected in Polish potatoes exported to the UK. Specifically, as of 31 March 2025, the UK Plant Protection Service has confirmed three cases of Clavibacter sepedonicus in consignments of ware potatoes imported from Poland. Two batches of infected ware potatoes came from the same Polish exporter, and the third from another trader in Poland.

The UK authorities, in cooperation with the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), identified the source of the infected potato lots in Poland. The infected shipments were traced and inspections were carried out at several locations associated with their movement. All potatoes from the infected shipments were destroyed.

According to British services, none of the places that had contact with the infected tubers had a direct connection with agricultural production and potato growers.

Increased scrutiny of Polish potatoes shipped to the UK

Due to the above, Great Britain immediately introduced tightened controls on all commercial entities importing edible potatoes from Poland.

Namely, it was announced that:

• 100% of Polish potato shipments will be subject to inspection for C. sepedonicus (previously 50%). This also applies to loose potato shipments.
• Checks will take place regardless of whether symptoms of disease are visible or not.
• Tests for the presence of quarantine bacteria will cover 400 tubers from each shipment (so far, 200 tubers from the batch have been tested).

All potato batches will remain at the border inspection point or control point until test results confirm that they are free from the potato ring rot causative agent. If the presence of C. sepedonicus is detected , the entire shipment will be destroyed.

Increased controls on shipments of edible potatoes from Poland have been introduced with immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice.

What procedures should be followed after detecting potato ring rot?

As C. sependonicus is a quarantine organism, any confirmed presence of this bacterium will trigger official response measures. These include surveillance and tracking of infected or potentially infected tubers, plants, production sites, storage facilities and other premises where potatoes have been held, transport vehicles, warehouses, machinery and equipment, and any other items that have been in contact with the batch, including packaging materials.

If the plant protection services detect a disease, for example in a packaging warehouse or a processing plant, all work will be suspended. And the entity will be legally obliged to carry out a complete cleaning and disinfection of the premises before resuming operations.