A move by Defra to block large-scale imports of seed potatoes originating from the European Union (EU) is creating new challenges for growers in Pembrokeshire. As Debbie James reports for Western Telegraph, with seed potatoes not included in the post-Brexit trade deal, applications to market imported seed potatoes from the EU will now only be considered on a “case-by-case’’ basis.
In Pembrokeshire, Puffin Produce said the ban had some implications for potato production in Pembrokeshire but the company was “working its way through it’’.
Over the last three years Puffin has grown some of its own certified seed of newer, EU-bred potato varieties in the county. It implemented this policy because of difficulties with reliably sourcing and securing the tonnages it needed.
“Securing the higher grade input seed for this certified seed production in 2022 has been the biggest challenge but we have worked out a way forward in co-operation with the breeders themselves,’’ said Puffin’s head of field services, Stephen Mathias.
Source: Western Telegraph. Read the full story here
Photo: Puffin Produce
