The government of Prince Edward Island has announced it will come to the aid of the province’s seed potato growers through an assistance program, compensating for the negative effects COVID-19 on the industry.
According to a press release from the PEI government, the Seed Potato Recovery Program is a $1.19 million fund for seed growers who can demonstrate that they have incurred significant costs associated with the pandemic.
Agriculture and Land Minister Bloyce Thompson: “We know COVID-19 has had a negative impact on our seed growers by reducing the volume of potatoes sold and adding extraordinary costs for disposal of surplus potatoes. This funding will help to ensure that Island farmers are in a sound financial position to continue to contribute to the Island economy when the current difficulties are over.”
As reported on potatoesincanada.com¸ seed potato producers who experienced a loss in sales of seed potatoes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will be asked to provide adequate documentation of these losses in the application process.