Beginning this season, potato growers who do not plant to minimum seed standards will face much stiffer penalties.
Agriculture and Forestry minister Eric Hammill today announced changes in regulations under the Plant Health Act which will increase enforcement of minimum seed standards for potatoes in the province. Mr. Hammill said the new regulations were implemented in response to requests from all three sectors of potato industry itself.
"The potato industry has told me it has recognized the need to improve quality and to prevent and control diseases," said Mr. Hammill. "The government has positively responded to the requests from the industry with strong and effective measures to increase compliance and enforcement."
Effective immediately, growers who do not plant to minimum seed standards will be subject to a minimum fine of $1000 per acre. Previously, minimum fines of $200 in total had been assessed by the courts and were not considered an effective deterrent. Inspectors will also be given authority to collect all information from growers needed to verify that seed potatoes planted this year meet minimum standards.
Mr. Hammill also announced that growers who fail to safely store or dispose of cull potatoes will be subject to a minimum fine of $1000. Cull piles are a major source of late blight and other diseases.
In order to prevent the introduction of diseases, all equipment used in potato operations must be disinfected before they will be allowed entry into the province.
"The implementation of these measures is an important first step in supporting the industry to protect and enhance our quality reputation in the marketplace," said Mr. Hammill. "At the same time, this is another strategy which will lead to further reductions in the use of pesticides."
Mr. Hammill said the industry is taking very proactive steps to improve potato quality and that government and industry will work closely together to protect and enhance the Island's quality seed reputation in the marketplace.