PRINCE Edward Island is offering a new program to purchase designated potato wart index fields from producers and agricultural operations.
The PEI Index Field Buy-Back Program will establish a fund to purchase agriculture land designated as index fields and property purchased will be preserved, contributing to the goal of protecting 7% of PEI’s land.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture Bloyce Thompson said: “Supporting our producers through this challenging experience has been a main priority for our government, and this buy-back program not only supports affected producers, but also strengthens our entire industry moving forward. Purchasing index fields has been something that we have explored at great lengths in the past, and with broadened risk mitigation measures in the new National Potato Wart Response Plan, we saw an opportunity to benefit our entire industry at a time when trade is of the utmost importance.”
Since 2021, the Government of PEI has invested over $40 million into the PEI potato industry through initiatives such as the Potato Wart Contingency Fund, trade relief, as well as through regulatory and disinfection services.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has designated 37 sites as index fields across PEI. Eligible property owners interested in selling are advised to make contact.
Potatoes are an important economic crop and a high-value export for Prince Edward Island. In 2024, PEI had 85,300 acres of land dedicated to potato production and harvested approximately 1.17 million metric tonnes of potatoes and last year PEI accounted for 20% of Canada’s total potato production.
Source: PEI
