Potato policy

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33940, 5 September 1975, Page 6

Potato policy

Farmers whose land has been “declared” or “scheduled” because of the potato cyst nematode will be able, subject to strict hygiene procedures, to grow potatoes for seed or table use on new land they may rent or lease without it also being automatically declared or scheduled.

This has been made possible under changes in the official policy on the pest.’ One of the requirements is that the new piece of land should be farmed as a completely separate unit, but where this requirement cannot be complied with immediately and an inspector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is satisfied that there are good practical reasons for this, he can grant a special dispensation. This interim provision will apply over an initial period only as a means of helping growers whose livelihood has been seriously affected because the use of land they occupy is subject to restrictions.

This dispensation is conditional on an inspector personally supervising the steam cleaning of all plant and equipment when it moves from a quarantine area to the new land. Regular checks for compliance with hygiene conditions will also be made.

Where an occupier of declared land intends to lease additional land for potato growing he has to first seek the approval of the Ministry before entering into any agreement with the owner, who should also be made aware of the quarantine requirements and that any breach of the conditions or identification of the nematode will result in declaration of his land. The Ministry will consider every application on its merit. Mr C. R. Plummer, a farm advisory officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Christchurch, said that they would be happy to discuss with anyone wishing to grow potatoes on leased land the implications of the policy changes. Seed potatoes can still be grown on schedule II land, but before they can be moved from declared land a certificate is required certifying that they have been given an acceptable sodium hypochlorite dip under Ministry super-

vision. The same conditions will also apply where seed on hand has been harvested from schedule I land and is intended for sowing on schedule II land occupied by the same grower. Where seed has been harvested from schedule II land this can be sown on' other schedule II land occupied by the same grower without treatment, but it is still considered advisable for the potatoes to be treated.