P.E.I. seed potatoes cleared for export to U.S. after no more wart found

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has lifted its voluntary suspension of export certification for P.E.I. seed potatoes, allowing trade to the United States to resume.

The suspension was lifted as of March 11, 2021, the agency said in a statement emailedto CBC News.

CFIA said the move followed "technical discussions with the U.S." when its testing revealed no more cases of potato wart in Prince Edward Island fields, after two samples fromfields on the same farm in Queens County tested positive in October.

"All seed potatoes for export to the U.S. from Canada must continue to meet U.S. import requirements," the agency's email noted.

The P.E.I. Potato Board confirmsthere have already been shipments of seed potatoes from P.E.I. to the U.S. since the CFIA announcement.

Potato wart poses no risk to humans or food safety, but infected potatoes become disfigured and unsuitable for sale. It can also prevent tubers from being produced as plants grow.

Exports are halted when it is detected because it can be spread through the movement of infested tubers, as well as through the transfer of soil and the actions of farm equipment.

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