National Potato Council Statement in Response to USDA Announcement on the Resumption of Trade Between PEI and the United States After Latest Potato Wart Find

March 25, 2022 National Potato Council

The National Potato Council released the following statement in response to USDA’s announcement that trade in table stock potatoes would resume between Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, and the United States.

Statement From PEI Potato Board, Stories From the Field, Regarding PEI Potato Crop Destruction

The closure of the U.S. border to PEI tablestock potatoes and restriction of movement of all seed potato by the Canadian Minister of Agriculture has left PEI growers with more than 300 million pounds of potatoes with nowhere to go, and farmers with no other options.

New Federal Ministerial Coordinating Committee on PEI Potatoes Brings Whole-of-Government Approach to Help Farmers Affected by U.S. Trade Disruption

The Government of Canada is committed to restoring market access for PEI fresh potatoes to the United States and supporting PEI farmers impacted by trade disruptions. To that end, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, today announced the creation of the new Federal Ministerial Coordinating Committee on PEI Potatoes with the objective of enhancing coordination and collaboration across the federal government to respond to concerns and find solutions.

Minister Bibeau Announces $28M to Support Prince Edward Island Potato Producers Impacted by Trade Disruptions

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau announced $28 million in funding to support Prince Edward Island (PEI) potato farmers affected by trade disruptions. The Government of Canada is taking a Team Canada approach and working collaboratively with the Province of PEI and industry to support potato growers and resume full market access for PEI fresh potatoes.

PEI Potato Representatives Meet With Minister Bibeau in Ottawa to Discuss U.S. Trade Issue

Representatives of the PEI Potato Board travelled to Ottawa Thursday for a midday meeting with the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,  Dr. Siddika Mithani, president of Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and other federal officials to discuss the ongoing U.S. trade issue. On November 22, CFIA banned the sale of table potatoes to the U.S., pinning the temporary decision on broader Canada-U.S. trade relations concerns.