Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill said he is pleased with the response of potato producers to discussions on identifying and implementing solutions to prevent runoff. A series of breakfast information meetings this week attracted a large number of potato producers.
"Potato producers have made significant investments in soil conservation, integrated pest management and other practices to prevent soil erosion and protect the environment," said Mr. Hammill. "The introduction of buffer zones and the establishment of the new Agriculture and Environmental Resources Conservation program are further steps in the right direction, but we must continue to be more vigilant about protecting watercourses."
Mr. Hammill said producers attending the meetings reviewed the reasons for runoff from some fields earlier this season. They also discussed practices in other adjacent fields where no runoff took place. "Producers are in general agreement that these problems can and must be prevented," he said.
The Minister said the new Action Committee on Runoff Control is also examining a number of strategies to deal with the problem.
The series of breakfast information meetings continues next week, on August 24 at the Loyalist Inn in Summerside, and on August 25 in Mill River. Both begin at 7 a.m. The meetings are organized by the Potato Producers Association in cooperation with the Potato Board and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.