Wiggin: 'System has let farmer down'

MPs at Westminster also heard that farmers may have to wait up to eight weeks before the full extent of the damage caused by the first known outbreak of the world's most damaging potato disease in the UK is known.

Welsh Minister Don Touhig said the case of potato ring rot detected on a farm near Brecon, is believed to have arisen from potatoes grown from seed imported from the Netherlands last year.

Meanwhile, Mr Wiggin has urged ministers to explain how ring rot was able to get into Wales just two years after the "devastating" outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

He added that the farmer, John Morgan, had complied with directions and had done everything he could to try to ensure the outbreak was contained.

Potato ring rot - MP calls for compensation for farmer

"He has been let down by the security system. Can he expect some compensation for the loss of his business?" Mr Wiggin demanded.

Mr Touhig said swift action had been taken to confine the outbreak to Middlewood Farm at Bwlch near the Brecon Beacons, but further tests were being carried out.

"It's going to take perhaps six to eight weeks before we can actually make a full assessment as to the degree of damage this particular bacteria has had on the crop," he said, answering an emergency question.

He added that Mr Morgan had acted "perfectly properly" since the outbreak was discovered.

There were no "current" compensation schemes available but there might well be discussions between the farming unions and UK Government departments on the issue.