Canada: No decision made on deep-well irrigation moratorium in Prince Edward Island

Environment Minister Janice Sherry says government has made no decisions on deep-well irrigation and the moratorium will not be lifted unless it’s proven it will not diminish the quantity or quality of Prince Edward Island’s groundwater. The issue has become a topic of heated debate, especially after industry giant Cavendish Farms and the P.E.I. Potato Board mounted a full-scale lobby effort several weeks ago. They are pushing for access to deep-water wells to supply potato fields with water for supplemental irrigation. But environmental groups are raising serious concern over the impacts large-scale agricultural irrigation could have on P.E.I.’s groundwater levels. They also worry about potential nitrate contamination. More