New Brunswick introduces mandatory PVY testing of seed potatoes as part of a commitment to improve quality

In consultation with the New Brunswick Potato Industry, the New Brunswick Regulation 82-70 of the Potato Disease Eradication Act has been amended to include Mandatory Post-Harvest Laboratory Testing for Potato Virus Y (PVY) of all seed potato varieties (classes Pre-Elite, Elite I, Elite II, Elite III, Elite IV and Foun-dation) that are to be planted in New Brunswick in 2011 and beyond. Pre-Elite and Elite I lots are exempt from the post-harvest testing only if they are to be planted on the farm unit where they were originally produced.

These regulation changes were initiated by industry stakeholders to assist in monitoring, controlling and reducing the level of PVY planted in the Province’s potato crop.

Effective immediately, all seed lots intended for planting in the New Brunswick 2011 crop (including lots from other Canadian Provinces and the USA), will require virus testing for all strains of PVY.

Testing must be done in a laboratory recognized for seed potato certification testing by the CFIA, USDA-APHIS, or other laboratories deemed equivalent. To determine equivalency, please contact the Potato Development Centre ofthe New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.

A strong commitment has been made by the Industry and Government to reduce the virus levels.

Producers are encouraged to investigate and secure their 2011 seed stocks early, as supplies of low virus seed ofsome varieties may be limited. The maximum PVY level allowed for planting (based on laboratory analyses), has not been established.