The amendments, issued Europe-wide by the European Commission, renew controls first introduced in 1996 and prohibit import into any part of the EU potatoes from Egypt's 2002-03 crop unless certain requirements are met.

The specified conditions include measures to ensure that potatoes come only from recognised pest-free areas in Egypt. They also stipulate requirements on Egypt to register traders and to test seed potatoes that are used to produce the export crop. Imported consignments will be inspected and samples tested for latent brown rot infection.

The UK and all other member states must inspect all imported consignments and test samples for brown rot. Existing controls on the disposal of waste from packing and processing are still in force and the new measures are intended to supplement existing regulations.

Defra reports that traces of latent brown rot infection were found in one lot of Egyptian potatoes last season. The potatoes were destroyed and represented only a tiny fraction of total Egyptian potato imports into the UK.

The Egyptian potato season runs from December through the spring.

Enquiries from within the UK can be directed to Defra on telephone number: 08459 335577

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