Eradication of Ralstonia solanacearum form Tay river system
In 2000, parts of the Tay river system were found to be contaminated with Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of potato brown rot. As a result a prohibition on the irrigation of potato and tomato plants from the contaminated river system was immediately introduced.
In 2001 the Scottish Government began a programme of work designed to eradicate R. solanacearum from the Tay river system. The success of this programme has been such that the bacterium has not been detected in any water samples since 2002. The irrigation bans have since been lifted.
From 2008 to 2011 the SG continued to sample and test water samples and S. dulcamara plants from the previously contaminated stretches of the Tay River system but the frequency of its monitoring activity from was scaled back from fortnightly to monthly intervals. We sampled and tested any seed potato crops irrigated from these waters prior to the crops being lifted. All other potato crops in the vicinity of the river system were targeted as part of the annual brown rot sampling and testing survey.
For 2012 we will revert to the annual survey of Scottish watercourses for R. solanacearum required by the European Commission.
The SGs summary reports on this work can be viewed at on the relevant link.
Summary report for 2011
Summary report for 2010
Summary report for 2009
Summary report for 2008
Summary report for 2007
Summary report for 2006
Summary report for 2005