Notice to industry: Access for Table Stock originating from PEI to Puerto Rico

February 9, 2022 – This is the fifth industry notice.

Since the initial detection of potato wart in Prince Edward Island (PEI) in 2000, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has carried out a thorough and risk-based program to contain, control and prevent the spread of potato wart. Potato wart has been detected on other farms since 2000, and each detection has been addressed immediately.

Potato wart has never been detected in any other province, except in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador where it has been under regulatory control for decades (1909).

On February 8, 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the resumption of trade in table stock potatoes (shelf-ready consumer packs) originating from PEI to Puerto Rico. Trade can commence on February 9, 2022 in accordance with specific USDA requirements, including new labelling requirements and a declaration containing details of the sprout inhibitor treatment.

The CFIA remains unable to certify PEI seed, table stock and processing potatoes for export to the continental United States and other U.S. territories as they do not meet U.S. import requirements in accordance with the Plant Protection Regulations (notices of November 2 and 21, 2021). The CFIA continues to work closely with the United States to address their concerns and resume normal trade as soon as possible.