The U.S. potato industry is renewing pressure on federal regulators to suspend fresh potato imports from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, after a newly reported detection of potato wart disease raised concerns over the effectiveness of existing phytosanitary safeguards. The National Potato Council (NPC), together with 13 U.S. state potato organizations, announced on 18 May that it had formally asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately reinstate restrictions on fresh potato shipments from PEI. The request follows confirmation of potato wart in what the industry described as a previously unregulated field on the island. In a letter addressed to USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Services Dudley Hoskins, the organizations argued that the latest detection suggests the disease may extend beyond currently monitored areas and warrants stronger preventive action. “Given that this new detection has occurred in an entirely new field without any association with previous finds, it reinforces our continued concerns over the true scope of the disease in PEI production areas,” wrote Kam Quarles, Chief Executive Officer of the National Potato Council. “Therefore, we renew our strong objection to allowing imports of fresh potatoes from PEI into the U.S.”

Biosecurity Concerns Return To The Forefront

Potato wart is a soil-borne disease that affects potato production and remains a highly sensitive issue in North American potato trade. According to the industry submission, the pathogen can persist in soil for decades and no chemical treatment is currently available to eliminate it.

The U.S. industry groups argue that an introduction of the disease into domestic production areas could have broad commercial consequences beyond direct crop losses, including disruption to export access and downstream economic activity. The NPC cited the U.S. potato sector’s contribution of more than USD 100 billion annually to the national economy and support for more than 714,000 jobs.

Debate Reopens Over Earlier Policy Decisions

The request revives a dispute that has continued since late 2021, when U.S. authorities temporarily halted imports of PEI fresh potatoes before allowing trade to resume in May 2022.

According to NPC, concerns have persisted despite mitigation protocols introduced after trade resumed. The organization referenced previous USDA assessments and questioned whether current surveillance measures fully reflect the extent of disease occurrence on PEI. The letter also reiterates proposals previously advanced by industry groups, including tighter controls on bulk shipments, enhanced traceability requirements for retail packs, and additional safeguards around agricultural waste generated during handling and processing activities. The request was signed by potato organizations representing major U.S. growing regions including Idaho, Washington, Wisconsin, Oregon, Maine, Michigan and Colorado.
The USDA had not announced any change to import policy at the time the letter was made public.