Potato wart found in PEI

CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has confirmed the presence of potato wart in a field in Prince Edward Island.

The virus crippled the province’s fresh market potato industry for six months in 2000, but even before the latest test results were released Oct. 31, officials were playing down the impact this time.

The food inspection agency said in a news release the presence of the virus was found in a single potato field in Freetown.

The agency said the field is in proximity to a field that is already known to be positive and has been under surveillance since the first virus was detected in 2000.

It said it has advised Canada’s major trading partners of its findings and begun measures to contain the virus.

Officials with the food agency recently said they are confident that protocols worked out with their U.S. counterparts will mitigate any potential fallout, including a border closure to Prince Edward Island potatoes, as occurred seven years ago.

Since then, an agreement has been reached with the U.S. Agriculture Department to ensure that the border doesn’t close again.

It involves putting controls on the crop and equipment used to grow and harvest potatoes. In addition, any fields where the virus has been found are carefully monitored and taken out of production.

The virus that causes potato wart can easily spread between fields on contaminated plant material or on farm equipment such as tractors or harvesters. It also can live dormant in the soil for years, making its presence known only when it comes into contact with a growing potato plant.

Although potato wart makes market spuds look ugly and bumpy, they are no less edible.