The Prince Edward Island Potato Board has lost a court challenge against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s handling of potato wart trade with the United States in 2021.
The federal court was asked to perform a judicial review of the CFIA decision to ban exports of P.E.I potatoes to the United States.
The ban cost farmers a lot of money as sales were cancelled and prices plunged.
At the time, the Canadian government argued it was preferable to impose the ban instead of waiting for the U.S. to impose a ban which would have involved a lot of time and money to resolve issues,
Exports have resumed after U.S. officials were persuaded that Canada has taken adequate precautions to prevent the disease from spreading to the U.S.
The Canadian government responded to the court decision saying “The CFIA will continue to work with growers, industry, provinces and trading partners to manage this disease while supporting industry activities.
“The CFIA will continue to be guided by solid data, science, international standards, legislative authorities and best practices.”
