Canada has introduced a new biosecurity standard for the potato industry, which will enable potato industry in the country to protect crops from pests and diseases.
The new national standard has been designed to lower and control the introduction and spread of major plant pests and diseases in the potato industry. This standard has been developed based on three primary aspects - farm property management, farm operational management and plant health management.
Canada Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said that Canadian potato producers will now have an opportunity to strengthen the control over pests and diseases on farm.
"A healthy field means a healthy yield for the Canadian potato industry," added Ritz.
The National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for Potato Growers is a collaboration between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Canadian Potato Council of the Canadian Horticultural Council.
The standard was developed over two years, following discussions with producers, industry associations, academia, and provincial governments through funding provided by the Growing Forward policy initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
