Spud clampdown

By Sarah Thompson
GOVERNMENT officials have moved in to stop the spread of a potato disease in Gembrook.
Potato cyst nematode (PCN) has been discovered on potato farms and the affected plants have been dug up and destroyed by officials.
Last week Department of Primary Industries officers erected warning signs on roads into the area.
The signs come after the Gembrook potato district growers group requested the area be protected from the pest.
The signs have been put up to remind business owners that the removal of potatoes from the district other then for human consumption, potato soil or related machinery is prohibited without approval from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
Chairman of Gembrook Potato Growers Group Bruce Ure says that the group has worked closely with the DPI to fight the pest which can be economically disastrous for potato farmers.
Machinery now leaving the Gembrook potato area is washed and cleaned to DPI standards before it is removed from the area.
“Its fairly important because it shows the rest of the industry we are controlling it.
“It (PCN) basically reduces the crop.
“It doesn’t kill it but it reduces the crop.”
Although the pest does not harm humans, it reduces plant growth in both numbers and size, and a bad breakout of the pest could cripple local businesses.
DPI project officer Craig Murdoch said that implementing the Gembrook control areas is part of a state-wide strategy to satisfy other states that the pest is under control.
“The Gembrook potato district has been severely restricted since 1991 by PCN-related trade prohibitions.
“A number of local potato growers are considering retirement and surplus machinery may become available which could spread PCN to other potato production areas,” he said.
Bruce Ure said the signs have been put up for people in the local area and he said he doesn’t believe they will be read.
“It really is not going to make much difference,” he said.