The latest update from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency brings promising news for Canada’s potato industry as the 2023 National Survey for Potato Wart concludes with no detection of the pest in over 2000 soil samples. These samples were meticulously collected from key potato-producing regions across the country, including PEI, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
The comprehensive survey, aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of Canada’s potato crops, has delivered its findings to provincial authorities, the Canadian Potato Council, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of Canadian authorities to monitor and control potato wart since its initial outbreak in PEI in 2000, which resulted in a significant trade halt of fresh PEI potatoes with the U.S.
The diligent surveillance and soil testing practices employed in the survey highlight the importance of proactive measures in protecting the agricultural sector and ensuring the integrity of Canadian produce. The absence of potato wart detection in the surveyed soil samples is a testament to the effectiveness of these efforts and reinforces confidence in the quality and safety of Canadian potatoes.
