CFIA suspends P.E.I., Canadian potato exports to the U.S

Potato growers in Prince Edward Island are "shocked" by a federal government decision to suspend exports of fresh and processed potatoes from the province to the United States. The PEI Potato Board, in a statement released Nov. 22, said this decision has nothing to do with plant disease issues and everything to do with trade. "This is solely a politically based trade disruption that will limit trade in a year when potatoes are already in short supply across North America and globally," the board said. "These trade restrictions will undoubtedly lead to higher grocery store prices for American consumers due to a lack of available product in regions that depend on Prince Edward Island potatoes. The U.S. market is worth $120 million annually for PEI potatoes. "The volume of potatoes that P.E.I. normally exports to the United States meets the fresh potato needs of approximately nine million Americans each year," the board said. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency suspended exports of ...