PEAS EXPORTED TO BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27201, 19 November 1953, Page 10

PEAS EXPORTED TO BRITAIN

FEARS OF DISEASE FROM N.Z.

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, November 18. A disease which affects peas—pseudomonas pisi—is causing concern among British seed importers, and New Zealand has been named among other countries by the Ministry of Agriculture as being one of the places where this blight is “causing concern.”

Pressure is being brought to bear on the Ministry by importers and the National Farmers’ Union for the British Government to introduce a law preventing seed peas being imported without a certificate saying they are sound. There seems to be some difference of opinion, however, whether or not this blight has been recorded in New Zealand. The Ministry of Agriculture says that it has been told by the plant pathology laboratory at Harpenden, Hertfordshire, that areas in New Zealand have been affected. Yet trade circles say that while there have been reports that the disease has occurred only in the Auckland province, which is not virtually a pea seed growing area, it was subsequently stated that it was not in fact pseudomonas pisi. A representative of the National Farmers’ Union has Said that the disease has not so far occurred in Britain and there is a determination to take every step to avoid it. He added: “The main danger is from New Zealand, since about two-thirds of our peas are imported from there.”

When he was told that there was a doubt whether the disease had occurred in New Zealand he replied: “In that case there can be no objection by exporters to giving a certificate that crops are not affected.” The subject has become, controversial in farming and trade circles in Britain. It is believed that an authoritative statement should be made as to whether the disease has or has not occurred in the Dominion.