Zebra Chip disease threatening Australian potato industry

A potato disease that causes yield losses of up to 50% is threatening the Australian potato industry, AUSVEG claims. The peak industry body for vegetable growers says that the Zebra Chip disease could be introduced into Australia if the federal government approves market access for New Zealand potatoes.

If approved, the market access request would allow fresh potatoes to be imported into Australia for processing to produce French fries and potato chips.

The Zebra Chip disease reportedly caused over $60 million worth of losses in New Zealand in 2008-09. The Australian potato industry was estimated to be worth $614 million in 2009-10 and represents one of Australian horticulture’s largest crops. AUSVEG is concerned about the impact of the Zebra Chip disease on the Australian industry if the market access request is approved.

“The quality and scientific validity of the federal government’s advice on potato importation contains a number of claims which are not scientifically based and this places the Australian potato industry at risk from this devastating disease,” said AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy.

“Placing the livelihood of these Australian potato growers and their families in danger based on import conditions constructed from poorly researched, non-scientific information is simply far too great a risk to take,” Mulcahy said.

AUSVEG is urging the government to scrap the proposed importation measures as it claims the disease is not fully understood, even by DAFF Biosecurity.

“The draft import conditions report is largely based on a pest risk analysis written in 2009,” Mulcahy said. “This pest risk analysis is severely out of date considering the significant advances made in the last three years of the understanding of this disease and its devastating potential.

“The report also fails to consider other potential pathways for the disease into Australia, such as in nursery stock. This is a serious oversight if DAFF Biosecurity is genuinely concerned about protecting our nation from exotic pests and diseases,” Mulcahy said.

The disease complex also affects other staple foods such as tomatoes and capsicums and is spread by an insect called the Tomato-Potato Psyllid and through live plant material.