The Prince Edward Island Potato Board, on behalf of its more than 175 members, urges all Canadians to work together to protect potato farmers in the wake of the decision earlier this week by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to suspend potato exports from the island to its longstanding U.S. customers and partners.
"Each year, our hard-working farmers, supported by their network of partners, deliver more than 270 million pounds of fresh and wholesome potatoes to the U.S.," says Greg Donald, general manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board. "Over the past 20 years, there has not been a single incidence of potato wart - in any market - attributable to Prince Edward Island potatoes. We have faith in our potatoes, and so does everyone, even the minister of agriculture herself."
The P.E.I. potato industry is worth more than $1.3 billion to the island's economy annually. It employs more than 5,000 people directly or indirectly. The U.S. market represents a value of $120 million to the Prince Edward Island potato industry, also annually.
"Our potatoes feed an estimated nine million people each year in the U.S.," says Donald. "At a time when consumers are already facing rising food costs and food bank use has increased, trade restrictions with no scientific rationale are not good for anyone – farmers, retailers or consumers. Our message to the CFIA and our U.S. trade partner is 'let our potatoes go.'"
