The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Spain has reported that it is once again authorizing the import of potatoes to the Canary Islands from the United Kingdom.
This was announced this Saturday in a statement by the Canarian Councilor of the area, Narvay Quintero, who explained that the State, "the competent authority in this area," has prepared an instruction establishing that the entry of this tuber from said country is permitted, except from Kent (county where the potato beetle or Leptinotarsa decemlineata was detected).
The information provided by the phytosanitary authorities of the United Kingdom assures that the pest is not installed and that the British Government has acted in the areas where it was located.
"The Government of the Canary Islands lacks powers in this matter, however, together with the Government of Spain and the producers, we have sought solutions to the shortage of potatoes in order to protect the Canary Islands from the entry of this pest and ensure the next harvest in the Islands and the supply of this basic product in the diet of the" islanders, Quintero stated.
The head of the department points out that a series of additional application measures have been determined in relation to the packaging and labeling of the product "to reinforce and offer greater phytosanitary guarantees."
Thus, the potatoes must undergo a cleaning procedure, by brushing and/or washing, that allows the total elimination of traces of soil and harmful organisms, and specifies that the acceptable percentage of soil present will be 0.5%.
The labeling must include, in addition to the potato's own data (species, farmer code, variety, size, and packaging date), the traceability that allows identifying the producer and the production area at the plot level.
Seed potatoes must be bagged in new bags, with a maximum capacity of 25 kilos, sealed and labeled in facilities authorized for this purpose, which guarantee the health and traceability of these and under official control of the corresponding phytosanitary authorities of the production areas.
Those for consumption may be presented in containers of 1.5 tons maximum, which must be sealed and labeled in facilities authorized for this purpose, which ensure their health and traceability, and are also controlled by the phytosanitary authorities of the producing areas.
It is also stated that inspections will be carried out on 100% of potato shipments from the United Kingdom. EFE
