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P.E.I. seed potato industry won’t reopen before next year, Bibeau says during visit

O’LEARY, P.E.I. — Prince Edward Island potato farmers obtained a go to from the federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Meals on Saturday, March 26, who advised them seed potato growers might be ready not less than one other yr for excellent news.

Marie-Claude Bibeau’s P.E.I. go to got here days after the U.S. Division of Agriculture introduced on March 24 that P.E.I. tablestock and a few processing potatoes would quickly be allowed again into U.S. markets.

Recent potato exports had been halted by the Canadian authorities in November 2021 following an October discovery of potato wart in two fields. The discoveries prompted considerations of unfold of the soil-borne pest regardless of the mitigation measures which have been in place on P.E.I. since 2000.

Bibeau spent the day March 26 talking with farmers and in addition met with P.E.I. Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson, she stated in an interview with SaltWire Community at J. and J. Farm in O’Leary.

“Clearly the conversations with the seed potato growers are harder, as a result of the market is not going to open this yr, and possibly not subsequent yr as effectively, as a result of now we have to do the total investigation and now we have to strengthen the administration plan as effectively,” she stated.

That investigation entails the Canadian Meals Inspection Company’s evaluation of the October 2021 potato wart findings. CFIA officers have stated have stated this might take till 2023.

“Clearly the conversations with the seed potato growers are harder, as a result of the market is not going to open this yr, and possibly not subsequent yr as effectively, as a result of now we have to do the total investigation and now we have to strengthen the administration plan as effectively.” – Marie-Claude Bibeau

Potato wart is caused by a soil-borne fungus, Synchytrium endobioticum, that attacks the potato plant. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency detected potato wart in a field nearby the two October 2021 detections in P.E.I. - Contributed

Potato wart is attributable to a soil-borne fungus, Synchytrium endobioticum, that assaults the potato plant. The Canadian Meals Inspection Company detected potato wart in a area close by the 2 October 2021 detections in P.E.I. – Contributed

 

Future for seed

BIbeau’s assembly at J. and J. was initially going to be open to media, however the growers later selected to make the assembly non-public.

Earlier than the assembly, although, Bibeau answered reporter’s questions on what she’d been listening to from Island farmers and the place issues go from right here.

Whereas she stated the wart administration plan wants modifications, she did not structure any specifics, saying the CFIA investigation wants to return first.

“The province additionally has some duties and might be engaged on (the plan) with the business, with the province, with a imaginative and prescient for the long run.”

SaltWire requested her, within the meantime, what response she has for seed producers involved concerning the well being of their business.

At this level, Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey, who was attending the assembly, interrupted the interview to dispute the premise of the query.

“I take exception to anyone utilizing the time period, together with opposition politicians, that the business is devastated. The business has a future,” he stated.

When SaltWire requested Bibeau the identical query once more, she agreed with Morrissey’s optimism, saying innovation is required, although she does not need it to be a top-down directive from Ottawa.

“Having somebody from Ottawa telling you ways they really feel, I do not assume is the appropriate factor, however my understanding is, sure, the business has a future.”

Logan MacLean is a rural communities reporter with SaltWire Community in Charlottetown. [email protected] @loganmaclean94



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