Prince Edward Island is facing a new push by the Washington-based National Potato Council to reinstate a ban on fresh spuds from the province, citing a new case of potato wart, a soil-borne fungal disease that destroys crops but is harmless to human health.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed to Global News that it detected the presence of potato wart in soil samples collected from one potato field in P.E.I.
“The detection is limited to a single potato field identified through routine survey sampling and analysis, and there is currently no evidence of symptomatic tubers or spread to other fields,” the CFIA stated to Global News via email.
“The farm where the detection occurred does not export potatoes and produces seed potatoes for on-farm use only. Potatoes produced on the farm are primarily for on-island processing.”
Support for the proposed ban sought by the U.S. potato industry group is backed by 13 American state potato organizations, including the Maine Potato Board, Idaho Grower Shippers Association and the Northland Potato Growers Association.
The call for the ban did not specify any other details about the farm where the disease was detected in recent soil sampling.
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“Given that this new detection has occurred in an entirely new field without any association with previous finds, it reinforces our continued concerns over the true scope of the disease in P.E.I. production areas,” wrote Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, in a press release from May 18, 2026.
“Therefore, we renew our strong objection to allowing imports of fresh potatoes from P.E.I. into the U.S.”
Fresh potatoes make up about 18 per cent of P.E.I.’s total spud exports to the U.S., with Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania and New York ranked as top buyers, according to Canadian government data. Potato wart has not been detected in the U.S. since 1994.
The National Potato Council’s press release states that American exposure to potato wart has the potential to “trigger devastating economic consequences for domestic family farms.”
“The U.S. potato industry generates more than $100 billion in annual economic activity and supports over 714,000 jobs. A domestic outbreak would prompt an immediate loss of access to all international fresh potato markets, costing American growers over $225 million in direct annual export losses and billions more in indirect economic damage,” the press release reads.
The National Potato Wart Response Plan became effective in Canada as of March 5, 2025, which is set to outline “phytosanitary measures to improve the processes used to help contain, control, and prevent the spread of potato wart in Canada (excluding Newfoundland and Labrador).”
P.E.I.’s department of agriculture stated to Global News that the department is “following the situation closely.”
“We remain supportive of the National Potato Wart Response Plan and the work of CFIA, and we support the statement issued by CFIA regarding the detection.”
The Greasy american farmers just want market monopoly, it has 0 to do with potato wart as it is impossible to spread through washed consumption potatoes.
No common sense at all
I love ❤️ potatoes 🥔,,especially the ones from Canada 🇨🇦, 🇨🇦 Canadian potatoes 🥔 are absolutely delicious,,always have aways will,,no matter what,,plus,,the friendly potatoes 🥔 nutrition, keeps everything growing and satisfying, just like ,Canada’s Number One Farmers, and Helping Hands ✋️,
This Hunter Bell is right go screw us over a potota
Disappointing. 😔Please also remove one 🇺🇸 WART.
There is no wart in the US because they hide the testing or don’t even bother with it.
I buy Idaho potatoes. No elbows up for me
The United States is the primary market for Canadian potatoes. By total export value, the U.S. receives 93% of fresh potato exports, 96% of seed potato exports, and 91% of Canadian frozen potato (e.g., French fry) exports.
Are they growing their own for this seasonal already?
Doesnt simple sulfur powder coating the potatoes at time of planting stop this
Carney says Canada is its own best customer. Send the fungus filled potatoes to Liberal ridings.
The quality of potatoes in Canada has steadily been getting worse and the price getting higher. This will be another excuse to gouge the consumer even more than before
Glen
10lb of spuds at don’t “Save on foods” in B C have been $8.99 for over a year.
Grocers are allowed to charge what they like for produce without repercussions!!!
Just ask Carney the man who’s done nothing for Canadians
Canada will play a victim and blame Trump but the truth is some PEI potato’s have this fungus. Canadians would not allow USA potatoes in if the fungus was found there.
Used to grow spuds on ma’s farm back in the day. Wart is easy to get rid of. Showing you its time to lime your soil and let it sit a rotation. Sterilizes and rids the soil of bacteria and fungus. So easy to do.
Use the same soil for years, the fungus, molds and bacteria get pretty heavy. Proper soil management 101.
So, ugly potatoes still eat well. Peel the b*stards and go! Jeesus what a bunch of s*ckholes Americans are!
So 10Lbs of spuds will still cost $10.00 .
That’s okay, Carney will just subsidize the industry and then Trump himself will ban our potatoes. It won’t be good for anyone but at least somebody in my own country will be getting my tax dollars.
but yet they will let in millions of invasive species from India and Pakistan 24/7
Dont worry PEI farmers, Carney will talk about this a bit. I mean youre totally screwed if the US bans your product but he will furrow the heck out his brows over it.
Adriana must be from the GTA
The potato warts dont affect health but do destroy crops.
You would be amazed at what starvation does to health.
US potato farmers are calling for a ban, to increase their sales. Nothing to get excited about – except for TACO…
United States:imports $389.4 million (5.1% of the world’s exported potatoes – mostly from Canada)
US exports $348 million (2017 stats)
The issue is the quality of the potato. PEI is the best for potato chips.