Producers Warned To Properly Dispose Of Potato Culls

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill said today the department will lay charges if potato producers do not dispose of culls in an acceptable manner. Mr. Hammill said that practices such as spreading culls on the land at this time of the year increases significantly the potential for the spread of diseases, and that the practice will not be tolerated by the government or other producers whose crops are put at risk. He said the department will exercise its authority to take action against offending producers under Section 5 of the province's Plant Health Act.

"The potato industry, in cooperation with the department, has taken major steps to improve the quality of its product through the establishment and enforcement of minimum seed standards, post-harvest virus testing and the control of late blight and other diseases," said Mr. Hammill. "It would be nothing short of devastating if these efforts were undermined by the carelessness or negligence of some producers."

Mr. Hammill said that improper cull disposal is inexcusable since the department offers financial assistance to producers for either cull burial or composting. He said producers who want more information about details of the program should contact the department.

Under the Plant Health Act, all open cull piles have to be disposed of by June 15, and the minister said that deadline will be strictly enforced as well.