NEWS HIGHLIGHT
CFIA, USDA
revise PCN guidelines
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently
revised guidelines for potato cyst nematode (PCN).
June 16, 2009, Ottawa, Ont. – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently revised guidelines for potato cyst nematode (PCN).
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It’s hoped the revisions will allow continued trade of seed potatoes between the two countries. While PCN does not pose a risk to human health, it is recognized internationally as a destructive plant pest of economic importance and, therefore, a quarantine pest for the U.S. and Canada.
The PCN Guidelines describe the national survey of potato production for PCN in both Canada and the U.S. and now require increased soil sampling and testing from all fields where seed potatoes are produced for trade between the two countries. The guidelines also outline the measures that should be taken to manage PCN detection and contain procedures for the subsequent removal of restrictions on land.
Both Canada and the U.S. have worked closely with industry representatives in revising these guidelines and will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure specific requirements are met.
Continually improving survey strategies and enhancing the required measures when PCN is detected are key to preventing the spread of this pest while ensuring the continued trade of seed potatoes across the Canada-U.S. border.
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