A solution is needed right away on an export ban on Prince Edward Island potatoes.
That’s according to Greg Donald, General Manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board.
Donald said our federal government blocked the export of potatoes to get ahead of a ban in the works in the United States.
The reason? Potato wart.
The disease was found at a pair of farms on the island. Those fields have been isolated.
“It’s contained and quarantined, [the potatoes] don’t go anywhere,” he said. “We have full confidence in our product, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be moving.”
Donald said they’ve known about the disease for 20 years, and there is a robust plan in place to contain any outbreaks. Moreover, the disease poses no risk to human health, minimal risk of spreading to other potato fields, and minimal risk to potato yields if they are infected.
He said potato wart is very mild disease.
Donald said, because P.E.I. is a known source of potato wart, fresh potatoes already must be washed and treated before export.
A huge outpouring of support from the community in P.E.I. has taken the sting out of a ban.
Donald said people are buying more potatoes and calling on elected officials to resolve the dispute before the potatoes rot, but that will only go so far.
He said it’s a huge burden to the island, fresh potato exports bring in $120 million annually for that province.
Donald called on trade officials to work with their counterparts in the US to come up with a solution to reopen the border to P.E.I. potatoes.
