PEI officials hopeful for potato virus protocol

CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island – The Prince Edward Island Potato Board is hoping a long-term management plan for potato diseases will be worked out this week when Canadian food inspection officials meet with their U.S. counterparts.

“We’re cautiously optimistic we’ll be able to work out a long-term management plan on these problems,” Ivan Noonan, general manager of the potato board, said Tuesday.

“One direction that should be developed is the question of national standards so we’re all on the same playing field. That’s a priority.”

The meetings in Washington between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are meant to set up a protocol for dealing with potato virus problems such as mop top and potato wart.

Officials hope a protocol will prevent trade disruptions and financial losses to the bulk of the industry, should an outbreak of a virus occur.

An outbreak of potato wart on Prince Edward Island in 2000 prompted the United States to close its borders to Island spuds, crippling the province’s multimillion-dollar industry.

“Another issue is to determine if all the research can be gathered to develop the plan,” said Noonan.

In the past six months, more than 3,000 tuber samples have tested in various states and provinces. Both countries have shown signs of potato viruses, including the mop-top virus, in the past two years.

The viruses pose no threat to human health or consumption, but can reduce yields and lower grades.

Officials are trying to establish a joint management plan to maintain high quality seed potato production.