No Potato Cyst Nematodes detected in the first 28000 soil samples analyzed in Canada

This year, approximately 65,000 Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) soil samples will be collected and analysed as part of Canada's national PCN detection survey and to meet various countries' import requirements. So far, approximately 40,000 soil samples have been received and 28,000 have been tested. All results have been negative for the plant pest.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) prioritizes these samples according to export deadlines. Continued cooperation from Canadian potato growers in identifying their export dates is critical so that the CFIA can meet these deadlines. This will allow Canadian farmers to continue to prosper.

Some of the samples that are collected and tested are part of the CFIA's deregulation survey. This survey supports the removal of regulatory requirements that were placed on all PCN-regulated fields in Alberta after potato cyst nematode was found in two fields in 2007.

Sample collection has been completed on 81 of Alberta's 84 PCN-regulated fields. So far, eight fields have had all regulatory requirements lifted. As more test results become available, risk assessments will be completed and regulatory requirements may be lifted. Lifting these requirements is in accordance with the revised Canada–U.S. PCN Guidelines that were finalized in June, 2009. The USDA is notified prior to the deregulation of any field.

The CFIA, with the support of Canadian seed potato growers and other stakeholders, will continue to work towards completing the 2009 PCN detection and deregulation surveys. The CFIA will continue to keep all stakeholders and partners informed.