Potato Seed shipments from Prince Edward Island to the United States halted

Following the discovery of potato wart on Prince Edward Island (PEI) in August the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notified the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of temporary mitigation efforts by CFIA. No seed potatoes have been exported to the U.S. since the August discovery.

PEI fresh potatoes in consumer packs and bulk potatoes for processing or repacking that have been washed and sprout inhibited are eligible for export to the U.S.

Bulk potatoes for processing or repacking that have not been washed must be processed under a compliance agreement.

APHIS officials will be visiting PEI to assess if the current management system in PEI provides sufficient protection from the introduction of potato wart into the U.S.