Premier Pat Binns took part in signing ceremonies this week with Prime Minister Jean Chretien and the Ukrainian government for two agreements which could lead to new opportunities for seed potato exports and related technologies. The Premier is taking part in a Canadian trade mission to Poland and Ukraine.
The agreements signed this week establish phytosanitary and regulatory standards for the import of Canadian seed potatoes to Ukraine.
"As a result of these agreements, Prince Edward Island will pursue new opportunities for the export of high quality seed potatoes and our experience, know-how and technologies in the potato industry," said Premier Binns. "It is part of our food strategy to move to higher value-added production in a knowledge-based international agricultural economy."
Premier Binns also announced during his visit that agreement has been reached between Solanum-PEI and Monsanto to continue to work in partnership to identify new opportunities for genetically-improved seed potatoes and seed potato system development in Ukraine and Romania. Solanum-PEI is an arms-length company established by the provincial agriculture department to identify and develop markets for customized seed potatoes in international markets. Monsanto is a world leader in the application of biotechnology to potato production.
"The emerging field of biotechnology has a key role to play in making the potato one of the world's most important food crops," said the Premier. "Our partnership with Monsanto will combine that company's expertise in the development of genetically-improved seed potatoes and our status as a world leader in seed potato production."
Solanum-PEI and Monsanto have already cooperated in potato variety trials in Ukraine and Romania in 1997. Last year, the first-ever commercial sale of seed potatoes was made by Prince Edward Island to Ukraine.
Premier Binns said Ukraine has a population of 52 million people, and potatoes are a staple crop. That country produces over four million acres of potatoes annually, but up to 40 percent of its crop is lost to the Colorado Potato Beetle. Genetically-improved varieties offered by a Solanum-Monsanto partnership are resistant to the insect.
The Premier said that over the next five years, there is a potential market in Ukraine and Romania for genetically-improved seed potatoes produced in Prince Edward of up to 15,000 tonnes, with a farm-gate value of more than $7 million.