Victoria Stamper, general manager for the United Potato Growers of Canada, has responded to concerns raised by US senators regarding the entry of PEI table stock potatoes into the USA. The bipartisan letter highlighted ongoing issues related to potato wart and called for stringent measures to mitigate the risk to the American crop. These measures include limiting bulk shipments to no more than 20 lbs and advising US consumers against planting these potatoes in gardens. Additionally, it was suggested that the USDA oversee the disposal of waste from potato processing facilities that use PEI potatoes.
Stamper emphasized that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are in regular dialogue about the concerns outlined by the senators, focusing on science-based solutions and the implementation of a potato wart management plan. She noted that US groups participated in consultations on Canada's national potato wart mitigation plan, which is nearing completion.
The letter's timing, ahead of the US federal election, was noted by Stamper as potentially influenced by election dynamics. She clarified that many of the issues raised have been under discussion for years, with significant efforts made to regulate and test PEI potato fields to ensure their safety for the US market. Stamper also mentioned that the border was reopened in April 2022 after a five-month closure due to potato wart detections in 2021, highlighting the ongoing cooperation between CFIA and USDA.
Despite the concerns, Stamper reported a balanced market for potatoes in both Canada and the US, albeit with challenges due to weather conditions affecting crop yields. She remains cautiously optimistic about the industry's resilience and the regulatory bodies' commitment to addressing the issues scientifically and effectively.
Source: Island Farmer