The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been presenting its consultation process to various meetings in Canada and the U.S. Now the consultation period is public.

The agency is seeking comments on several guidance documents and recommendations related to potato wart, including:

-  revisions to the categorization of potato wart primary contact and other contact fields

-  options for mitigating the risk of potato wart spread

-  seed potato production in fields associated with potato wart

The goal is to develop a new national-level potato wart response plan to replace the existing Potato Wart Domestic Long Term Management Plan.

The CFIA welcomes comments from:

-  potato producers and packers

-  industry associations

-  seed potato industry

-  producer groups

-  commodity/value chain associations

-  consumers and interested public parties

-  other government departments/agencies, including provincial/territorial and municipal

-  trading partners

-  other special interest groups

-  other government organizations

The CFIA is seeking feedback on the proposed guidance to ensure that:

-  the overall guidance documents are clear

-  the criteria for Category C (primary contact) and D (other contact) field classifications are clear

-  the options for creating a biosecurity control program are clear

-  the options for seed potato production in potato wart associated fields are clear

-  there are no other elements in the proposed guidance which would require further clarification

Background information can be found here:

• Questions and answers: Risk management documents
•  
• Potato wart or potato canker – Synchytrium endobioticum
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• Potato wart in Prince Edward Island
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• Prince Edward Island potato wart index fields
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• Information on the Potato Wart Domestic Long Term Management Plan
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• Potato wart fact sheet

To get copies of the documents and share ideas or comments, send an email to cfia.potatosection-sectiondespommesdeterre.acia@inspection.gc.ca.

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency  December 4, 2023 posting