She said exports will probably resume to Puerto Rico which then ships them on to the United States. Puerto Rico does not grow potatoes so the U.S. has no restrictions on potatoes from there.
And soon after the U.S. market will re-open, Bibeau said.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency banned exports from P.E.I in December as a pre-emptive move because potato growers in the United States were demanding the U.S. impose a ban on the basis that potato wart fungal disease is on the island.
Bibeau said at the time that it will be easier to lift a Canadian-imposed than a U.S. ban.
The ban has depressed potato prices across Canada and has angered Island farmers and politicians.
The CFIA recently completed a national survey of potato fields to detect the disease. So far it has been limited to two fields on the Island, the same two as had been identified as infected for the two previous years. Quarantine measures are in place.
