Rod Nickel

WINNIPEG (Reuters) – Canada has rescinded fresh potato exports from Prince Edward Island to the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency stated Monday that the United States threatened to prohibit the shipments due to concerns over the potato wart fungus.

CFIA confirmed that the fungus was present in high numbers on two PEI farms last October. This is the first time in 21 years. According to the CFIA, potato wart is a disease that can reduce yields and not cause any harm to humans or their food safety.

According to Statistics Canada, PEI is Canada’s smallest province and produces about 20% of Canada’s national potato harvest. According to the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, this crop adds over C$1 billion (or $788 million) to the provincial economy each year.

Canada announced that it would stop the import of PEI seeds potatoes from the United States starting Nov. 2. Canada stopped the import of PEI seed potatoes to the United States on Nov. 2.

Canada immediately suspended all exports of fresh PEI potatoes to the United States, which included potatoes for table and processed potatoes. This decision doesn’t apply to products that are processed.

David Bailey, Canada’s interim chief plant health officer, stated that fresh potatoes are still able to move to other Canadian provinces.

This situation shows that there is a divergence of opinions between Canada and the United States regarding the danger posed by fungus.

Bailey stated that Canada’s safety measures such as washing and brushing potatoes in order to get rid of soil make the risk low.

The Americans think the risk they face is too much.

CFIA says that potato wart has now been eradicated in America.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canadian Agriculture Minister, stated that she raised the matter with U.S. Secretary Tom Vilsack. She would also work to restore trade.

($1 = 1.2683 Canadian dollars)