Maine looks to prevent repeat of late blight outbreak

The Maine Legislature has directed the Maine Dept. of Agriculture to require notification of any tomato seedling shipments sent to Maine businesses during 2010. State officials are seeking the cooperation of seedling suppliers in order to monitor and inspect shipments, keep Maine retailers advised of any pest outbreaks and to take any other actions to prevent outbreaks of pest problems similar to what occurred in 2009.
In a letter to tomato seedling suppliers state horticulturalist Ann Gibbs said Maine experienced a dramatic increase in late blight (Phytophthora infestans) outbreaks on tomato and potato crops last year. In the letter she wrote the disease was traced to tomato seedlings from out of state sources sold at retail outlets statewide. She said the infested seedlings contributed to the increased incidence of the disease.
Tomato seedling suppliers have been asked to provide the following information regarding shipments of seedlings to Maine businesses:
• Destination of shipments to Maine, including physical location address
• Amount/number of seedlings shipped
• Date(s) of shipments