Mexico Opens Borders to Alberta Seed

The Mexican market is now open to Alberta potatoes following an agreement between the Mexican and Canadian governments. The agreement allows for the immediate export of Alberta seed and table-stock potatoes from areas not under quarantine restrictions for potato cyst nematode.

“This Government has taken swift action for Alberta farmers to reopen the Mexican border to Alberta’s high quality seed potatoes,” Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, said in a statement. “Mexico is one of Canada’s top markets for seed potatoes and this agreement delivers more results for Canadian producers.

Mexico has been closed to Alberta potatoes since December 2007 after the find of golden nematode in two soil samples from two farms in northern Alberta in the fall of 2007.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency continues to test soil samples from all Alberta seed potato fields and from all other seed potato producing provinces. In the 19,400 soil samples tested so far, there have been no other positive results for the plant pest. ”