New regulations have been implemented concerning the export of potatoes from Prince Edward Island to the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced these changes in response to the discovery of potato wart fungus in a soil sample from a P.E.I. farm in May. This sample was collected during routine testing of potato fields on the island.
Effective from October 5, the updated rules will impact U.S. facilities that receive bulk shipments of potatoes from P.E.I. for processing, packaging, and repackaging. Notably, the disposal of potato waste as animal feed will be prohibited, requiring proper disposal at designated sites.
Moreover, there will be enhancements in labeling requirements, stricter certification standards for P.E.I. potatoes prior to export, and a ban on the use of imported Island seed potatoes. These changes aim to reduce the risk of introducing potato wart disease into the United States, as stated in a news release by the U.S. agency.
The potato wart fungus spreads through infected seed potatoes and contaminated soil, affecting cultivated potatoes and certain wild potato species. It does not pose a threat to human health or food safety but can reduce the quantity of potatoes available for harvest and sale. The fungus can persist in soil for many years without a host plant, with no known effective treatments.
The detection of potato wart in May marked the first instance on an Island farm since 2023. These measures are part of a broader effort to safeguard the potato industry and prevent the spread of the fungus through international trade.