The Canadian Food Inspection Agency imposed the ban with federal politicians saying the United States was poised to do it, but it will be easier to negotiate an end to a Canadian-imposed ban.
The issue is whether potato wart disease on a couple of farms is under control and not likely to spread, as has been the case for a couple of years.
Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said some of the potatoes will be diverted to food banks and there will be plans for disposal in environmentally-sound ways.
“But what we have been saying out loud is that fresh potatoes can be exported to other provinces and to other countries with the right mitigation measures in place,” Bibreau said.
“The fact is the U.S. will not accept shipments of fresh potatoes until they have the scientific reassurances that they need,” she said.
About 80 percent of the province’s potato growers have bought into AgriStability and their average available balance is about $90.000.
She said potato farmers widely participate in AgriInvest and there are average available balances of about $90,000.
The minister has appointed Fred Gorrell, former assistant deputy minister of agriculture and head of the federal market access secretariat, to co-chair a potato working group.
She said CFIA is working on soil sampling and testing and providing results to the U.S. The agency has said it could be 2023 before the work is complete.
Potato prices have plunged across the nation with 10 pounds selling for $1.99 at Zehrs Markets (owned by Loblaws), including premium Russet and yellow-flesh varieties.
