EXPORT OF POTATOES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10179, 9 August 1924, Page 2

EXPORT OF POTATOES

AMENDED CONDITIONS FOR AUSTRALIA. WELLINGTON, August 8. Tli© Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Nosworthy, referring to communications which have been in progress with the Commonwealth Government Department regarding the importation of potatoes to Australia, says ho is glad to bo able to state that the I particular clause to which exception | was taken in the conditions first laid I down has been amended in such a | manner as to render it much less drastic, and it now makes provision only for what New Zealand officers who visited Melbourne in 1921, and. again 1 this year, expressed their willingness to agree if the Commonwealth Government considered it essential that such provision should be embodied. “I have been advised to this effect by a, letter from the Commonwealth Department of Health, Melbourne,” said the Minister. “It should he noted that the principal health officer also holds the position of guarantee officer lor the Commonwealth Government.” Following is the letter referred to by the Minister: — “Adverting to your letter of June 24, relating to the recent decision of the Minister for Health as to the importation of New Zealand potatoes into Australia for the purposes of food I desire to inform you that the question had been further considered and clause (b) of the conditions.has been amended to read as follows: —(b) That they were found grown on premises known to have been, during the present 12 months, infected with powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea). The conditions as amended now read as follows : (1) That they are accompanied by an official certificate dated and signed by a responsible officer of the Department of Agriculture, New Zealand, identifying the potatoes, specifying ■ quantity and certifying: (a) That at the date of the issue of certificate they were free from phytophthora infestaus (known as Irish blight), Scynchytrium endobioticum (known as potato canker), black scab, warty disease, and cauliflower disease in potatoes (Spongospora subterranea (known as powdery scab), and all other seriousi diseases. (b) That they were found grown on premises known after due investigation not to be or to have been during the preceding 12 months, infected with powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea). (c) That they were packed in the country of origin in clean, new packages. (2) That the bags, crates, or other packages containing potatoes are mark- * ed on the outside with the word ‘ potatoes,’ and the name and address ot , the broker.

“New Zealand exporters should give notice to the Chief Guarantee Officer (plants) at the capital city of the State into which it is intended to import the potatoes.”