Canadá: Funding spat endangering P.E.I. potato industry

There hasn’t been an outbreak in over five years, which shows that the program has been working, but some are questioning the idea that the 30-year-old program is redundant and no longer necessary.The service costs about $500,000 a year with government paying $375,000 while a $10 a truck spray fee raised the other $125,000. The government has been holding talks with the potato board since the spring and suggested several funding options. Agriculture Minister Alan McIsaac said the board simply rejected those options. Minister McIsaac said he offered to pay 40 per cent of the costs. The board said no. Period. Potato growers are not getting much support on social media and comment on the issue. Commenters suggest that a $1-billion industry should be able to pay the costs of protecting its interests. Others point out the potato industry seems to be the recipient of government grants and programs at every turn.The latest example were huge federal and provincial government investments to assist packers and shippers with the installation of  metal detection equipment following the tampering with tablestock potatoes last fall and winter. The equipment was needed to allay consumer concerns and protect the integrity of the industry against these attacks of sabotage.Ring rot was a hot topic at a legislative standing committee meeting last Tuesday. Most Liberal MLAs were opposed the government’s decision. Board general manager Greg Donald signaled that he is willing to talk and is open to all options. Mr. McIsaac, the chairman, didn’t mince words, suggesting that government blindsided the industry and that its current course is reckless, dangerous and puts the entire potato industry at risk.