Second positive PCN sample in Victoria from related property

VICTORIA'S leading potato-growing district will not find itself locked out of interstate trade despite the discovery of a second property affected by a potato parasite.

A massive testing effort since the original discovery had tested 550,000 soil samples from 2,900 ha and had discovered no further specimens other than in the infected paddock.

However a second positive sample has been returned from a property which was linked to the site of the original detection through past ownership.

Victoria Potato Growers Council executive officer Laura Bowles maintained the deal brokered for interstate trade would not be affected by the new detection.

"Trade arrangements will stay in place until May 2009 with no changes."