This is the first occurrence of potato wart in an agricultural area outside of Newfoundland and Labrador where a plant quarantine has been in place since 1912. Potato wart fungus is not a human pathogen and poses no threat to human health. It is a disease of quarantine significance that makes the potatoes unmarketable and reduces the yield.
Infected potatoes are safe to eat.
Potato wart disease is caused by a soil-borne fungus, Synchytrium endobioticum , that attacks the growing points on the potato plant, such as eyes, buds and stolon tips. The fungus can remain dormant in the ground for as long as 40 years or more as resting spores. The CFIA has put controls in place and has taken appropriate measures to delimit the infection and prevent the spread of the fungus causing Potato Wart. Measures were put in place to protect the disease-free status of the rest of the province, of other Canadian provinces, and of countries importing P.E.I. potatoes. Surveillance activities were initiated to identify and control the infected area.