Colorado potato beetle eradicated from the UK after crop concerns

A major potato pest has been eradicated from the UK more than two years after its discovery in the country.

The Colorado beetle can pose a significant threat to potato harvests as well as tomatoes, aubergines and peppers and is a “serious pest”, the government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) says.

In July 2023, the beetle’s larvae was discovered in Kent, but after two years of investigation and surveillance the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said no more had been found and the pest had been officially eradicated.

Although the beetle does not pose a risk to human health, the APHA says it is a “nightmare” for farmers.

The agency said the animals could completely strip the leaves from plants, reducing yields and causing “significant economic damage” if left uncontrolled.

Work to eliminate the pest included regular inspections of the original outbreak fields and selected other potato fields in Kent, monitoring imported plant products, and investigating sightings.

The APHA said: “By eradicating this pest, we have not only safeguarded the potato industry but also demonstrated the strength of our plant health system.

“It shows what can be achieved when science, operations and collaboration come together.”