The closure of the US border to PEI table stock potatoes and restriction of movement of all seed potato by the Canadian Minister of Agriculture has left the Islanders with more than 300 million pounds of potatoes with nowhere to go, and farmers with no other options.
“Over the last three months, our industry has worked tirelessly to move as much food as possible to new markets and those who need it including food banks and shelters across the country. While we appreciate the efforts of everyone working to get the border open, 12 weeks ago we warned this was coming, and now it is here. It is a gut-wrenching, traumatic experience for any farmer, and made worse knowing it was completely avoidable. Unfortunately, this does not mark the end of the turmoil. Our industry is just weeks away from planting for next season and without a US market that could mean tougher decisions and times ahead for Island potato farmers and the whole industry across the country,” according to a recent PEI Potato Board press release.
The PEI Potato Board officials added that this is a devastating week for the Islanders.
“The worst-case scenario for any farmer is happening across the province – the destruction of safe and healthy food,” they concluded.
