Certain plant health requirements for potatoes no longer necessary

Following the declaration of Colorado beetle eradication in December 2025, Defra has worked closely with counterparts in the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the Canary Islands Inspectorate, as well as with FCDO colleagues, to confirm the requirements for moving UK potatoes to the Canary Islands.

Defra has now confirmed that the additional requirements introduced in 2023 are no longer required but cleaning of potatoes and the soil tolerance requirements remain.

• The additional requirements introduced in 2023 following the detection of Colorado beetle, relating to packaging, labelling and detailed traceability of the producer (including identification at plot level), as well as other specific conditions such as restrictions relating to certain areas of origin, are no longer necessary. These requirements were established in the context of the phytosanitary situation at that time and they are therefore no longer in force.
• However, the requirement relating to cleaning of potatoes and the soil tolerance remains in force. In particular, a maximum soil content of 1% continues to apply, as this is considered necessary to comply with the provisions of point 58.b of Part III of Annex IV to the Order of 12 March 1987, as well as to ensure that consignments are free from soil and associated harmful organisms

If you have any comments or questions, please email planthealth@defra.gov.uk.