CBC News reports that more than 100 potato growers from across Prince Edward Island in Canada met virtually Friday with the Island’s four members of Parliament to discuss the ongoing potato wart crisis and what federal politicians can do to get the U.S. border reopened to fresh potatoes.
It has been more than six weeks since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued the trade ban in reaction to American concerns around the discovery of potato wart in two Island fields, halting all exports of P.E.I. potatoes to the U.S., a move that has been criticized by P.E.I.’s premier and farmers alike.
“We’ve got to get this moving and urgent, like the sense of urgency that came through loud and clear from the growers,” said John Visser, chair of the P.E.I. Potato Board. “That’s critical, and I think they’re getting that, and hopefully they’ll bring that to Ottawa.”
Growers stand to lose $120 million or more due to the border closure.
Source: CBC News. Full story here
Photo: P.E.I. farmers will have to destroy many of the potatoes that were destined for U.S. markets this fall and winter. Courtesy Kirk Pennell/CBC
