P.E.I. Potato Board Decries Export Ban
CHARLOTTETOWN–A solution is needed right away on an export ban on Prince Edward Island potatoes. That’s according to Greg Donald, the general manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board.
Donald says the federal government has blocked the export of potatoes to get ahead of a ban that’s in the works in the United States.
The reason? Potato wart. The disease was found on a pair of farms on the island, which 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 says the board has known about the disease for 20 years and there is a robust plan in place to contain any outbreaks. He says 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 says potato wart is a very mild disease. He says 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 says 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 says it’s a huge burden to the island; fresh potato exports bring in $120-million a year for the province.
Donald is calling 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.
Jack Morse is a reporter with CKHZ 103.5 in Halifax, a Huddle content partner.