Premier Pat Binns said today that the new agreement covering exports of Prince Edward Island potatoes to the United States ends months of uncertainty, and he commended the industry for its role in resolving the crisis.
Premier Binns praised the efforts of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board and provincial agriculture minister Mitch Murphy. "This is perhaps the worst crisis ever faced by the potato industry in this province, and throughout, the provincial government and the potato industry worked closely together, along with the federal government, to secure an agreement," he said. "I want to reaffirm my commitment to help the industry regain its position in the marketplace."
"The personal intervention of Prime Minister Chretien was important in reaching this agreement with the United States," said Premier Binns. "The Prime Minister discussed this issue with President Bush, and I believe that helped bring about its resolution. The federal government is to be commended in this particular case for helping defend the interests of Prince Edward Island."
The Premier said that financial assistance for the diversion program helped producers get through the crisis, but he said a return to normalized trade offers the best hope for restoring confidence in the industry. "I will also be raising this matter with my counterparts during discussions at the Premier's Conference, and I will be reminding them of the sacrifices made by Prince Edward Island in ensuring that no other provinces were affected by the trade actions," said Premier Binns.