The Chinese government has given permission for the importation of Scottish seed potato mini tubers. It’s being hailed as a major breakthrough in a potentially huge market.

News broke on the day the Chinese Government’s Minister Counsellor for Science and Technology, who’s based at the country’s embassy in London, was visiting SCRI, Scotland’s leading centre for crop research on the outskirts of Dundee.

Dr Wang Baoqing, was accompanied by a team of science and technology staff.

The go-ahead was given by the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). Officials said four companies met the requirements for propagation, packaging, storage, and transportation:

• GenTech Propagation (Dundee)
• ProSeed International (Borders)
• TLC Potatoes Ltd (Kincardineshire)
• MBMG Scotland (Forfar).

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: "This development presents new opportunities for the Scottish seed potato industry. Scotland needs to develop and expand its export markets for seed potatoes as a result of a decline in UK sales."

"China, as the largest potato growing nation in the world, represents a major and much needed potential market for Scottish exporters. The news that our mini tuber producers have been approved gives encouragement that we can successfully conclude negotiations on a similar agreement with China for the export of field-grown seed potatoes."

"It is particularly pleasing that we can announce this breakthrough on a day when, senior Chinese government officials are in Scotland at SCRI to discuss developing our joint technologies and shared business interests," said Mr Lochhead.

China has been identified by the British Potato Council as a potentially lucrative export opportunity. Scotland already exports seed potatoes to Western Pacific Rim countries - for example to Thailand and to Indonesia.

China - the world's largest potato producer - has operated a universal ban on the importation of seed potatoes into the country for many years. The Netherlands (the world's largest producer of seed potatoes), Canada and the USA have all attempted to negotiate entry for their seed potatoes but so far none of them has yet shipped commercial quantities to China.

The visit to SCRI, based at Invergowrie, was hosted by the organisation’s commercial wing, Mylnefield Research Services Ltd.

Dr Wang was given a tour of the research centre and watched presentations on current potato research, soft fruit research and environmental science.

Following the visit, the Chinese team said they expected further missions to the UK in the years ahead and hoped to develop stronger links.

The Managing Director of Mylnefield Research Services, Dr Nigel Kerby, said "We are very proud of the unique capability we have to join research with commercially useful products.  The research may be interesting to scientists but the products are very important in raising the living standards of people throughout the world. It is the social benefits of our research that we are very keen to see extended through the world…whether that is potatoes, fruit or the environmental benefits more generally."

"We are delighted to have played a pivotal role in the lifting of the mini-tuber export ban.  It will stimulate the export of UK products to China," he said.

More information from:

Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 562731.