Cavendish Farms Appeals PEI Arbitration and Mediation regulation for potatoes

The Prince Edward Island Potato Board said it is disappointed that Cavendish Farms is appealing a new mediation and arbitration rule put in place this year.

Under the Potato Board order, contracts must be worked out between Island potato processing plants and their growers before the spring planting season gets underway.

If a deal can't be reached, the case goes to mediation. If that fails, an arbitrator decides the terms of the contract.

A deal was worked out with Cavendish Farms this year, but the McCain contract was decided by an arbitrator.

It now seems Cavendish Farms has problems with the process. It has appealed the new regulation to the Natural Products and Appeals Tribunal.

The appeal will be heard on June 1.