Potato growers worried about disease spread

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33003, 24 August 1972, Page 12

Potato growers worried about disease spread

Potato growers in Canterbury wanted to be sure that all possible precautions were being taken to ensure that root eel-worm found in two paddocks in Pukekohe did not spread to other areas, said the chairman of the Central Ward Potato Growers’ Committee (Mr C. East). Mr East said that New Caledonia and Tahiti had placed a quarantine on potatoes from within 10 miles of Pukekohe. Mr East said he had been told by the executive officer of the Potato Board in Christchurch (Mr M. P. Rousham) that he had approached the deputy director of Plant Health Division of the Department of Agriculture in Wellington (Mr L. G. Morrison) twice last week about the problem.

Mr Morrison said that the disease had been found only in two areas at Pukekohe and

both areas had been placed under quarantine. He also said that a complete survey of all other areas was at present being undertaken and when it was completed the situation would be reviewed.

“All other growers realise that it is a serious position for the growers in Pukekohe, but the possibility must be considered that the position will be much more serious if the disease is allowed to spread to other areas,” said Mr East. “Most potatoes exported are from areas other than Pukekohe and this must be kept in mind. New Zealand has been exploring the overseas market for some time and has already had some promising results. "Every step must be taken to ensure that other areas are not exposed to the possibility that the disease will spread from Pukekohe,” said Mr East.