Seed potato varieties from the EU may still be imported into the UK despite the ‘both ways or no ways' trade ban, it has emerged.
Defra said it will consider applications for market imported seed potatoes from the EU on a ‘case-by-case basis'.
Sources within the Scottish seed potato trade said they were concerned the case-by-case consideration might apply to whole Members States rather than individual seed potato consignments or varieties.
If that were to a happen and, for example, the Netherlands was to simply apply to export seed to the UK, there might be no tonnage limit set.
Effectively this would create a loophole to allow trade to continue as normal but only in one direction, according to industry sources speaking to Íæż½ã½ã.
UK seed would still be banned from export to the EU and Northern Ireland.
If this is the case, a political row could be expected to erupt in coming days.
Consultation
A Defra spokesperson said: "Following consultation with industry, applications to market imported seed potatoes from the EU will now be considered on a case-by-case basis.
"This approach recognises the fact that the UK is broadly self-sufficient in the total quantity of seed potato production, while retaining a mechanism to consider future marketing authorisations as necessary.
"We also continue to press the EU to reconsider its position, in line with its own regulations, on the import of seed potatoes from Great Britain to the EU."
Last year the UK Government, in consultation with industry organisations and other stakeholders, made the decision to accept EU seed potatoes in England and Wales until June 2021 to help support the industry as it adapted to new Brexit trade rules.
The six month authorisation ended on June 30.
