The Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is responding to industry requests for tougher enforcement of the minimum seed potato planting standards under the Plant Health Act. The Potato Producers Association passed a resolution at its recent annual meeting to work with the department and the Potato Board to develop a stricter enforcement policy and higher penalties for farms planting tablestock potatoes.
The minimum standards are Foundation or better, except for the Shepody variety where the minimum seed class for 1996 is Certified. The risks of planting tablestock are that producers have no way of knowing what diseases they may have. As well, areas found to plant tablestock could lose access to European markets.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Walter Bradley said additional resources will be made available to enforce the Act.
"It is absolutely imperative that we maintain and increase our quality reputation," said Mr. Bradley. "We need to be able to assure our customers about the very high standards of our system of disease prevention and control."
Under the Act, producers who plant less than the minimum seed standards are subject to fines of up to $25,000.
The minister also said the department would be stepping up enforcement of the regulations relating to proper storage and disposal of cull potatoes between June 15 and August 31.
Mr. Bradley said he welcomed the Association's support for stricter enforcement.