Potato debate continues as Korea suspends US potato imports

The public debate between AUSVEG and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) continues, with AUSVEG querying DAFF’s decision to go ahead with plans in light of South Korea’s decision to suspend imports of US potatoes due to concerns over zebra chip disease.

South Korea is the largest importer of US potatoes in Asia, importing 16,700 tonnes of US potatoes in 2011. But last week, the South Korean Government banned the importation of US potatoes because of concerns about the presence of zebra chip disease.

Potatoes affected by Zebra Chip disease. Image courtesy of AUSVEG.

Zebra Chip disease is caused by a bacterium that affects the potato’s starch and sugar levels, which makes the potato taste unpleasant and look burnt when cooked.

“The actions of the South Korean Government should set an example for DAFF Biosecurity about the appropriate level of caution when dealing with the zebra chip disease,” said William Churchill, AUSVEG Public Affairs Manager.

“Why is it the South Korean Government is taking the appropriate action to ban imported potatoes from the USA while our own government wants to open the flood gates to New Zealand potatoes infested with the same disease, potentially risking billions of dollars of agricultural produce?” Churchill asked.

AUSVEG is accusing DAFF of failing to take into account new evidence relating to zebra chip disease and the tomato-potato psyllid. DAFF refutes this, saying it is constantly searching for new information on biosecurity issues.

“If the psyllid and zebra chip get into Australia, the consumer will lose out, small businesses will lose out and there will be far-reaching consequences as a result of this pest. The government needs to reassess its position on the importation of New Zealand potatoes to take this into account,” Churchill said.

“Considering that New Zealand industry figures are saying that potato production on the North Island is on a knife’s edge because of this pest, why would any government rush into allowing potatoes from infected countries?” Churchill continued. “DAFF Biosecurity should take a leaf out of the South Korean biosecurity handbook and deem importing potatoes to be too big a risk to domestic industry.”