With good growing conditions this spring, P.E.I. potato farmers are focusing on the 2022 crop, as the CFIA investigation into potato wart continues. The agency collected almost 17,000 soil samples this spring.
Seed growers on P.E.I. are being offered $1,000 per acre to grow soil-building crops instead of seed potatoes. One of the goals is improving soil health. Another goal is to keep seed growers in business until the export ban is lifted.
Ottawa officially announced Thursday $28 million in funding and increased support to assist P.E.I. potato farmers in their reintegration into the U.S. market.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is ramping up testing for potato wart in Island fields, as a working group begins a review of the agency's role and how it could better meet the needs of Canadian producers.