Byron McDaniel, Gleaner Writer

Walderston, Manchester:

A number of Irish potato farmers in north Manchester are expecting a significant decrease in yields when they harvest their crops in six weeks.

This is a result of a batch of diseased seedlings that the Christiana Potato Growers Association (CPGA) imported from Holland.

The batch of 'bad seeds' bearing the serial number 12182 was investigated by local plant experts who tested 580 bags. The team discovered a pathogen which reduced growth by as much as 60 per cent.

"From November 2002 to June 2003, many farmers in the potato-growing areas complained of the poor quality they received from our suppliers in Holland," explained Alvin Murray, general manager of CPGA. "The investigations revealed that the 2003 problem is here again and the same farm number is the same number (that is) associated with the bad seeds this year," he continued.

Mr. Murray noted that farmers were not compensated in 2003 when the problem occurred, but this time it has been reported to the supplier for compensation.

The supplier has since expressed regret and has agreed to compensate farmers in a correspondence with the CPGA.

The farmers have so far used 380 bags of the seeds on 20 acres of land. They are claiming $160,000 per acre.