Canary blocks the entry of potatoes UK.

Essex's multi-billion dollar potato industry could collapse due to a sudden blockade on exports to the Canary Islands.

Producers in this county east of London, send around 30.000 tons of porridge from Essex, which approximately account for 90 percent of its stocks destined for the Canary Islands each year.

However, The producers have shown their surprise when the inspectors in Tenerife began to reject the containers last August, due to high soil levels, despite the fact that the potatoes had already passed tests carried out by the UK Government, according to the producers.

Essex farmers have been exporting potatoes to the Canaries for over thirty years.

Batches are being rejected, Although the Ministry of the Environment, UK Food and Rural Affairs ensures that consignments contain less than the maximum amount of consistency of soil 2 EU legislated percent.

Chris Philpot, Essex farmer, which says that the Ministry affirms that its exports contain a 0,5 soil percent, has seen three and a half containers returned lately.

However, after repackaging in the UK and shipping to the Canary Islands for the second time, were accepted what, according to him, demonstrates the volatility of regulations.

The county's potatoes are valued at 150 pounds per ton and Philpot is worried that he has to take over the 5.000 pounds of each container of 25 tons, it must be returned to UK stores.

Philpot has even suggested that UK potatoes are being turned away to push up the prices of potatoes grown in Spain..

A spokesman for the Ministry, responding on behalf of the British Consul in Tenerife, has declared: “We understand the concerns and are working with the Spanish authorities to clarify what export standards are acceptable with the Canary Islands to help ensure that future problems do not occur.”.