Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what quantities of seed potatoes are being imported into Northern Ireland from the Netherlands; what evidence he has evaluated into the presence of brown rot in imported Dutch seed potatoes; what arrangements are in place to ensure that brown rot disease is not brought into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [12940]
§ Mr. AncramThere is no record of any imports into Northern Ireland of seed potatoes produced in the Netherlands in 1995. It follows that there is no evidence available regarding brown rot in imported Dutch seed potatoes.
Commission decision 95/506/EC laid down additional requirements to be met where potatoes produced in the Netherlands in 1995 are being traded. This decision enables member states to take additional measures to monitor Dutch potatoes entering their territory. The Potatoes Originating in the Netherlands (Notification) Order (Northern Ireland) 1995 requires prior written notification of the intention to land in Northern Ireland potatoes originating in the Netherlands. Any such potatoes landed will be subject to detention, inspection and testing for brown rot.