Potato growers at Prince Edward Island, Canada, are being hit with fines up to $3,000 per grower for not following new regulations on rotation of crops with potatoes and planting on sloped ground.
The government says 40 percent of growers are now following crop rotations. They estimate about 1,600 hectares are in the `red zone.'
UPEI biologists say Island soil is losing its organic matter resulting in well pollution, and fish kill by run-off nitrates.
The government is worried about the Island's valuable tourist industry and the pristine image it tries to maintain.