On this page
- What the Potato Wart Ministerial Order says
- Potato-related activities affected by the ministerial order
- Who the ministerial order affects
- Why was the ministerial order put in place on PEI?
- When will the ministerial order be lifted?
What the Potato Wart Ministerial Order says
Under the ministerial order, some Prince Edward Island (PEI) seed potato farms can continue to operate and grow seed potatoes for use within the province. Seed potatoes may be allowed to be moved off PEI on a case-by-case basis.
With risk mitigation measures in place, table stock and processing potatoes from PEI can continue to move to other provinces and to countries where import requirements are met.
Ministerial orders are under the authority of the Plant Protection Act. They are science-based decisions to help control, contain, and prevent the spread of pests like the fungus that causes the potato wart disease.
Potato-related activities affected by the ministerial order
The ministerial order restricts the movement of potatoes (seed, table stock and processing potatoes) and other regulated things (farm equipment, soil, sod, etc.) within the entire province of PEI and to other parts of Canada.
Movement of potatoes and regulated things may be permitted with written authorization if certain conditions are met.
Who the ministerial order affects
The ministerial order applies to anyone moving potatoes or other regulated things (farm equipment, soil, sod, etc.) within or outside of PEI.
It helps protect the agricultural sector of the Canadian economy by mitigating the risk of the spread of potato wart.
Why the ministerial order was put in place on PEI
The ministerial order was put in place to mitigate the risk of the spread of potato wart to the rest of Canada following two detections in October 2021 and subsequent related detections that implicated additional fields through traceback and investigation activities.
One of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) core mandates is to protect Canada's plant life by preventing the importation, exportation, and spread of pests.
The CFIA has been mitigating the risks associated with potato wart since it was first detected in PEI in the year 2000. The ministerial order helps to protect the agriculture sector of the Canadian economy.
When the ministerial order will be lifted
At this time, the ministerial order remains in place as the most appropriate regulatory tool to control the movement of potatoes and other regulated things in a manner that helps control, contain, and prevent the spread of potato wart within and out of PEI.