Biotech Updates

Scottish Seed Potatoes' Journey to China

September 14, 2007

Scottish seed potato mini tubers will soon find their way to China. After many years of operating a universal ban on the importation of seed potatoes into the country, the Chinese government has given permission for the importation of Scottish seed potato mini tubers. "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", said Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment. 

Officials said four companies met the requirements for propagation, packaging, storage, and transportation: GenTech Propagation (Dundee); ProSeed International (Borders); TLC Potatoes Ltd (Kincardineshire); and MBMG Scotland (Forfar).

Read the news release at http://www.scri.ac.uk/news/latest/scottishpotatoesforchina.