News on Potato Defects and Diseases from Australia

September 07, 2012

Tasmanian potato farmers expect industry 'wipe-out' if New Zealand imports are allowed

Furious Tasmanian farmers have warned that the state's potato industry faces ruin if New Zealand imports are allowed.

September 05, 2012

Australian potato industry roasts PM in import row

A cartoon portraying Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard and senior ministers as children playing a video game has been launched by the potato industry as part of its war to block imports of New Zealand potatoes.

August 28, 2012

Potato debate continues in Australia as Korea suspends US potato imports

The public debate between AUSVEG and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in Australia continues, with AUSVEG querying DAFF’s decision to go ahead with plans in light of South Korea’s decision to suspend imports of US potatoes due to concerns over zebra chip disease.

August 21, 2012

War of words between DAFF and AUSVEG on potato imports from New Zealand

AUSVEG has “wrongly accused” the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) of basing quarantine conditions on outdated information, and of avoiding accountability, says DAFF.

July 06, 2012

Australian potato growers fear disease coming in from New Zealand

Australia's national vegetable grower group Ausveg says import controls being recommended by Biosecurity Australia fail to protect Australia's potato industry from the threat of disease.

Globodera Rostochiensis (Courtesy: nematode.net)

September 14, 2010

Western Australia declared Potato Cyst Nematode free

After a battle lasting almost 25 years, Western Australia's $45 million potato industry has been declared free of the devastating potato cyst nematode (PCN).

August 19, 2010

Australian Potato Industry fears Zebra Chip disease

AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy said today that diseased potatoes had the potential to threaten the viability of the entire Australian potato industry if the Australian Federal Government allows potatoes to be imported for processing from New Zealand.

SARDI Plant and Soil Health Scientists Robin Harding and Kathy Ophel Keller worked to develop the DNA diagnostic diseases for potatoes

May 27, 2010

Testing soil for diseases before potatoes are planted

Australian scientists at SARDI are making major strides in diagnosing potato diseases before the potato crop is planted.Watch ABC video on this topicAustralia’s $500 million-plus potato industry will benefit from new DNA tests that can quickly and accu...

May 19, 2010

Australian potato growers concerned about zebra chip disease

Potato growers across Australia have been urged to protect the local industry from a major pest which has established itself in New Zealand. New Zealand potato producers have been coming to terms with the disease Zebra chip. The disease is seen as...