None of the six Prince Edward Island potato fields in which potato wart has been confirmed during the 2014 growing season ever tested positive for the pest previously, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency indicates.

The CFIA has not indicated where in Prince Edward Island the six fields are located, but reported that five of the six fields are on one farm property and the sixth is closely linked through the movement of potatoes.

Potato wart is not known to contaminate neighbouring fields naturally but is primarily transferred from one field to another through the movement of contaminated soil on machinery, vehicles or plant debris, or from planting contaminated tubers.

Potato wart poses no risk to human health or food safety, but it can impact the economic viability of the potato industry by reducing yield and making potatoes unmarketable.

The first case was confirmed in August. It was during CFIA’s follow-up investigation that the agency found the five additional fields.

The CFIA noted that, due to their link or proximity to the initial find, the additional finds were not unexpected. The investigation continues.

The six fields take up approximately 312 acres.

The CFIA has indicated, via emailed response, that the potatoes from these fields will be destroyed. Farmers can recover some of their loss through private crop insurance or Government of Canada Plant Protection Act provisions.

To help prevent the spread of the pest, CFIA issues notices under the authority of the Plant Protection Act and Regulations to land owners and users indicating the need to prevent movement of soil, contaminated machinery and product from potato wart-infested fields.

Source - http://www.journalpioneer.com/