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Alberta potato farmers receive $23.5 million

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Alberta potato farmers receive 23.5 million dollars

Alberta seed potato growers who lost export business due to potato cyst
nematode are receiving up to 23.5 million dollars in compensation from the
federal and provincial governments.

August 7, 2008, Edmonton, AB – Alberta seed potato growers who lost export business due to potato cyst nematode are receiving up to $23.5 million in compensation from the federal and provincial governments.

The U.S. and Mexico closed its borders to Alberta seed potatoes after the nematode was discovered on two Edmonton area farms in the fall of 2007.

According to a report in the Edmonton Journal, Alberta seed potato producers lost about $35 million in sales before the border was reopened to Alberta seed potato shipments in March of 2008.

The compensation will be split 60-40 between Ottawa and the province and will cover costs not covered under other support programs.