Ottawa – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched a final public consultation on a proposed National Potato Wart Response Plan (Response Plan). This Response Plan includes new measures to improve the Agency’s processes to help contain, control, and prevent the spread of potato wart. This will replace the current Potato Wart Domestic Long Term Management Plan.
This consultation is a key step in the ongoing review of the CFIA’s approach for potato wart. This review and the work to develop the Response Plan has been based on current science, international standards, and stakeholder feedback. The Response Plan will be reviewed and updated to evolve with the latest science as well as on the ground realities for the potato sector.
The Canadian Potato Council, the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Potato Board, the Province of PEI, and other industry stakeholders have been involved throughout the development of the new Response Plan. Recommendations from the International Advisory Panel on Potato Wart in PEI and input received during previous consultations have also been important in the development of the Response Plan.
As with the current plan, the National Potato Wart Response Plan will be one of several complementary processes used by the CFIA to help manage potato wart and prevent its spread. For example, the National Potato Wart Survey helps monitor potato fields across Canada for the presence of potato wart and provides valuable data to verify and improve the effectiveness of control measures in place. As well, phytosanitary export certification procedures include crop inspection, postharvest testing, potato tuber inspections for each shipment followed by the issuing of certification documents to ensure eligibility for export.
All feedback received during this consultation will be considered as the Response Plan is finalized. A transition process for restricted potato fields in PEI is being developed to assist growers with the shift from the current Potato Wart Domestic Long Term Management Plan to the new Response Plan. The final plan will apply to new detections of potato wart anywhere in Canada, other than Newfoundland and Labrador.
The CFIA welcomes input and questions on the proposed National Potato Wart Response Plan until the close of the consultation period on January 6, 2025.