For the sixth year in a row, the PEI Dept. of Agriculture will support post-harvest testing for viruses in the Island's seed potato crop.
CFIA will do the testing. CFIA also did field inspections. Last year 1,000 plots were inspected and tested.
Elite 11, 111 1V and Foundation seed potatoes cannot have more than 3 percent total virus levels to be planted on PEI in 2004. The inspection and testing programs are already giving buyers more confidence in PEI seed.
Mitch Murphy, Minister of Agriculture, said significant progress has been made in reducing virus at all levels. To help the situation, the weather has been kind to growers this summer.