The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Potato Industry Work to Develop Biosecurity Standard

OTTAWA, July 8, 2011: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Potato Biosecurity Advisory Group (PSBAG) have concluded a survey of Canadian potato producers. The information collected will guide the development of a voluntary National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the potato sector. This standard will be available to producers in fall 2012.

The CFIA and the PSBAG consulted with a representative group of Canadian potato producers to get a snapshot of common farm-level biosecurity practices currently used in the Canadian potato industry. The results will help identify potential best practices, common gaps and high risk areas which could be addressed by adopting and implementing a consistent, national farm-level biosecurity standard.

Such a standard will provide potato producers with guidance on the best proactive approach possible for minimizing the risk of introducing and spreading disease and pests.

In the coming months, the advisory group will provide guidance and direction on developing the standard. Next steps for the group include the following:

• an analysis of the results of the producer consultation,
• a review of biosecurity practices in the potato sector, domestically and internationally, and
• a summary of existing biosecurity programs at the farm level.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is supporting this initiative with Growing Forward funding. The PSBAG was established by the CFIA, in collaboration with the following:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC),
• the Canadian Potato Council of the Canadian Horticultural Council,
• other potato industry organizations, and
• provincial departments of agriculture.

Updates and information on developing the standard, as well as related material, will continue to be available through regional industry publications and the CFIA website.

The CFIA continues to work with producers to protect Canada’s plant and animal resource base.

For more information, please contact

Alain Boucher
National Manager, Potato Section
Horticulture Division
P.O. Box 6088
1081 Main Street
Moncton, NB E1C 8R2
Tel: 506-851-2511
Fax: 506-851-2689
Email: alain.boucher@inspection.gc.ca