News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – The provincial government has introduced amendments to the Potato Disease Eradication Act that will establish a mandatory post-harvest testing program to reduce the risk of disease in the province's potato seed stock. Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp introduced the amendment in the legislative assembly today.

"We have listened to the New Brunswick growers who have appealed to government for several years to institute a post-harvest testing program," said Olscamp. "This proposal for legislative amendments is probably the single biggest thing that government can do to help the potato sector."

Potato Virus Y (PVY) is the most common potato viral disease in New Brunswick and results in reduced yields, higher input costs and a reduced share of the seed potato market. Planting seed that has low virus levels is the most important step in controlling the virus. Beginning next year, all seed to be planted in New Brunswick will need to be sent for post-harvest laboratory testing for PVY.

The results of these tests will be reviewed by an advisory council, comprised of industry representatives, who will make a recommendation to the minister on what the maximum PVY levels should be. The program will be instituted gradually giving producers a few years to adjust to the program and lower the virus levels in their potato seed.

"The provincial government committed to this in the recent Throne Speech, and I am pleased to bring it to the legislature today," said Olscamp. "With this change, the sector will be more profitable and will provide even more economic activity to rural regions of the province.”

Potatoes are the province’s leading agricultural cash crop, having contributed $132.9 million to the economy in farm cash receipts in 2009, with seed potato exports of 32,504 tonnes worth about $10.9 million.