In general entry of plants (including tubers and true seed) of Solanum tuberosum and plants of Solanum stolon- and tuber- species or their hybrids into GB for further propagation is prohibited from 3rd countries, other than the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland by The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (Schedule 6 Annex 6 part A)1 points 15 and 16. Entry of 3rd country plants into Northern Ireland is prohibited by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 Annex VI 6 points 15 and 16. However, entry of plants is permitted via post-entry quarantine at the UKPQU providing that the material is accompanied with an Authorisation and Letter of Authority, issued under Regulations 20(1) and 21(1) of The Plant Health (Official Controls and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2019, articles 8 and 48(1) of retained Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and retained Regulation (EU) 2019/829. In the UK potato quarantine testing is done at the UK Potato Quarantine Unit (UKPQU), a purpose-built facility at SASA.
1Retained Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072
A plant health import licence is required prior to import.
The UKPQU is overseen by a Review Committee comprising stakeholders including the Scottish Government, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland (DARD-NI), British Society of Plant Breeders and research and commercial interests. The committee meets every several years. A report of the work of the UKPQU is prepared for these meetings and can be viewed here.
TESTING PROCEDURE
Each unit of potato material is established as in vitro microplant cultures, observed over a growing season in the glasshouse for the presence of diseases and tested for specific pathogens. The testing done by the UKPQU exceeds EC requirements.
Material released by the UKPQU is issued with a plant passport and may be planted without further testing anywhere in the EC. You can obtain a copy of our testing procedures from the Potato Quarantine Unit.
OTHER SERVICES
Virus elimination and rapid multiplication services are provided for customers.
The UKPQU has been involved in quarantine testing programmes for true potato seed from UK gene banks. Tested seed is held in the Commonwealth Potato Collection at the Scottish Crop Research Institute.
The UKPQU collaborates with other potato quarantine scientists internationally to develop new methods, evaluate existing methods for pathogen diagnosis for potato quarantine purposes and to develop guidelines for the safe movement of potato germplasm.
View the reports of the work of the United Kingdom Potato Quarantine Unit
SASA