Potato growers have been warned not to risk planting small ware or other forms of illegal uncertified potato seed.
The warning came after it was revealed that up to 1,000 tons of small ware Agria potatoes have been imported into the UK and supplied as uncertified seed for spring planting in west Norfolk, south Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.
According to reports, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) is aware of at least one operator attempting to circumvent plant health and marketing rules.
It warned farmers and suppliers suspected of breaking the law that they would face prosecution. “Apha will be pursuing robust action against any infringements and will be carrying out both general and targeted surveillance to ensure compliance – with enforcement action taken where offences are identified,” it said in a statement.
Industry experts have pointed out that, seed potatoes from the EU can no longer be marketed in Great Britain after permission to do so expired following Brexit.