Federal Fisheries
Minister Gail Shea has announced $1 million will be spent by the federal
government to buy metal detectors for the potato industry.
Why can't the Prince Edward Island potato board buy its own metal detectors to protect its reputation and market? Why do farmers immediately put their begging hands out every time they face a new challenge?
Another $500,000
from the provincial government will be sued for on-site security assessments
and training.
The Royal Canadian
Mounted Police have been investigating the discovery of needles and nails
imbedded in fresh potatoes, some marketed to stores and some to french-fry
potato-processing plants.
There were several
discoveries of needles in potatoes from one farm in Prince Edward Island last
year and a new round of discoveries of both needles and nails from other
producers this spring.
P.E.I. Agriculture Minister Alan McIsaac
said there's a concern that a lack of consumer confidence could have
significant impact on potato sales. No doubt he's quite right.
"This additional funding will help
ensure that our province’s potato industry can move forward from these
malicious and criminal acts," he said in a statement.
I guess they can only move forward if the taxpayers hold their hands.
