The discovery has heightened alarm not only for Prince Edward Island growers, but also for U.S. potato producers who fear the economic consequences of an outbreak south of the border.
The U.S. potato industry contributes more than $100 billion annually to the economy and supports over 714,000 jobs. According to the National Potato Council, a domestic potato wart outbreak would immediately shut off access to international fresh potato markets, costing U.S. growers at least $225 million annually in direct export losses.
Quarles pointed to Newfoundland as a cautionary example.
“Newfoundland had potato wart get entirely out of control many years ago,” he said. “That’s basically a no-fly zone for potatoes. You just can’t produce them there, can’t move them.”
The National Potato Council says this is not the first time the issue has surfaced. USDA temporarily halted PEI potato imports in 2021 following previous detections, but the border reopened in 2022.
“This is a reinstatement,” Quarles said. “Five years ago, when this crisis began, USDA took that step. Unfortunately, the Biden administration viewed this as a diplomatic inconvenience.”
Quarles argued that politics should not factor into disease prevention decisions.
“The disease doesn’t care about your politics,” he said. “It wants to get out. It wants to infect potatoes.”
Joining NPC in the request are potato organizations:
State Signatories:
- Colorado Potato Administrative Committee
- Idaho Grower Shippers Association
- Idaho Potato Commission
- Maine Potato Board
- Minnesota Area II Potato Growers
- Montana Potato Improvement Association
- North Carolina Potato Association
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Potato Growers
- Potato Growers of Michigan
- Northland Potato Growers Association
- Oregon Potato Commission
- Washington State Potato Commission
- Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
“We’re very hopeful that people take appropriate action now rather than any type of half measures,” Quarles said.
Source: Western Ag Network