Flea beetle threat to UK potato crops

A pest found on ware potato crops from Spain and Portugal could cost the UK potato industry up to £40 million if it is allowed to become established in this country, says the NFU.

Potato traders, processors and packers have all been urged to notify Fera if they purchase crops from these countries to help reduce the likelihood of the potato flea beetle (epitrix species) gaining a foothold in the UK.

According to the NFU, potato industry stakeholders have moved swiftly on initial advice from Fera by publicising the extent of the threat posed by the beetle, with the long-term goal of a statutory notification process being introduced.

"We are first of all trying to raise awareness of the problem to all those involved in the potato supply chain, and secondly urge anyone in the industry to notify Fera when importing potatoes from Spain and Portugal,” says Laura Drew NFU potato adviser.

"If this beetle was allowed to get established in the UK then it would be growers who will be hit hardest.”

Statutory measures

The NFU and other stakeholders, including the Potato Council, want statutory measures implemented as soon as possible, but Government rubber-stamping of new legislation could take some time.

In the meantime, the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) has published a pest risk assessment (PRA) on the potato flea beetle, which will now be considered by the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health to see if the beetle is a threat worthy of mandatory quarantine restrictions.

According to Fera, potato tubers or soil attached to tubers can carry the pest (as pupae or over-wintering adults and larvae) over long distances, and if potato flea beetles are accidentally introduced to the UK they are likely to spread relatively quickly because the adult beetle can fly.

Adult beetles feed on potato foliage producing small, scattered holes, which can occasionally be so severe as to depress yield.

Damage

The larvae feed on the root system and some species feed on the tubers, which causes the most serious damage and can render a crop unmarketable.

In the event of an outbreak in the UK, official statutory action would almost certainly be taken and could involve measures such as haulm destruction, application of insecticide treatments and controlled safe disposal of infested tubers, says Fera.

Mark Prentice, Potato Council head of seed and export, says the £40m potential loss to the UK industry has been estimated on the basis of a 5 per cent crop rejection where the beetle is present, as well as the cost of two additional insecticide sprays.

"The Potato Council has written to key organisations across the industry, including all levy payers and there has been a really good response to this potential problem so far.

"But the key message remains. Anyone importing potatoes from Spain or Portugal should notify Fera immediately,” he adds.