Potato wart in Prince Edward Island

In October 2021, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of potato wart in 2 fields on Prince Edward Island (PEI). We immediately initiated an investigation and implemented strict regulatory measures to prevent potential spread.

In Canada and many other countries, potato wart is regulated as a quarantine pest. The CFIA is therefore required to put controls in place that reduce the risk of spreading potato wart both domestically and internationally.

Potato wart poses no threat to human health or food safety. However, it does impact the economic return for potato growers by reducing yield and making potatoes unmarketable. The fungus is extremely persistent and the only efficient way to control it is to prevent the spread into new locations.

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Ministerial order

In November 2021, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada issued a Ministerial Order concerning potato wart.

With certain exceptions, the Ministerial Order prohibits the movement of seed, table stock and processing potatoes and other regulated things such as farm equipment, soil, sod, and plants for planting. both within and outside of PEI unless authorized to do so by an inspector.

Long term domestic management plan

The Potato Wart Domestic Long Term Management Plan supports the CFIA's monitoring and management activities for this pest. It includes requirements for regulated fields, such as phytosanitary actions and surveillance, as well as mandatory follow-up actions.

With any finding of potato wart, the CFIA must immediately open an investigation so it can trace all associated fields and any implicated machinery and shared soil because they pose a risk of spreading the fungus if not properly controlled.

Export and domestic movement of potatoes produced in PEI

Requirements for the movement of potatoes within and out of PEI depend on the intended end use and whether they have been produced in a restricted or unrestricted area.

  • Movement of all potatoes from restricted areas within the province requires an authorization issued by a CFIA inspector.
  • Unless exempted under the Ministerial Order, the movement of potatoes out of the province is subject to a written authorization issued by a CFIA inspector.
  • Exporters must meet the specific phytosanitary import requirements of individual importing countries and are responsible for obtaining any required import documents to support phytosanitary export certification by the CFIA.
  • Potatoes produced for human consumption must also meet the requirements of the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations.

For more information, contact your local CFIA office.

Find out if a property is affected by movement restrictions

A map that provides up-to-date information about potato wart related land restrictions using the Government of PEI's property identification number: Find out if a property is affected by movement restrictions

2021 detections and investigation

The CFIA's investigation related to two 2021 detections of potato wart in Prince Edward Island (PEI) was completed in August 2023. Over the course of the investigation, the CFIA collected and analyzed nearly 50,000 soil samples from fields in PEI associated with recent detections. The investigation identified potato wart in four additional fields, which is expected in investigations of this scale.

The CFIA has identified potato wart in 37 fields in PEI since 2000. The findings in October 2021, February 2022, July 2022, December 2022, and April 2023 represent the largest ongoing investigations since the pest was first detected in PEI in 2000. The size and scope of these investigations required the strongest regulatory action to date to help protect against the further spread of potato wart outside of PEI.

Compensation for affected producers

This compensation supports growers who are complying with the important control measures in place to prevent the spread of potato wart and allows them to recover some of their losses. To be eligible to apply for compensation, the Potato Wart Compensation Regulations requires that a notice to treat, prohibit, restrict or dispose be issued by an inspector. For more information, contact CFIA's Plant Health Offices.

Other financial assistance may be available through programs administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and, in some cases, provincial or territorial governments. For more information, contact your local AAFC office and/or your provincial/territorial agriculture ministry office.

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