The Prince Edward Island Potato Board says it’s looking at its options to ensure a potato disinfection service continues in the province. Under the current provincially funded program, trucks carrying potatoes are sprayed to help prevent bacterial ring rot.
But the P.E.I. government announced this fall that it will be closing the disinfection station in Borden-Carleton and removing mobile units. The government cited budgetary and scientific reasons for deciding to end the service.
Greg Donald, general manager of the potato board, says the industry will ensure the disinfection service continues in some form and that the board is looking at all possibilities right now.
“Disinfection is an important part of disease management,” said Donald. “So regardless of changes to the program … we’re committed to working together with the province to [keep] a disinfection program that is as good [as] or better than it was before.”
The board will have to work quickly to come up with a new program, as the provincial services are set to end Dec. 31.
Earlier this week, a legislative committee recommended the Potato Board and the province work together to ensure the service is maintained.
Source: CBC