PEI Potato Board defends itself against allegations

The P.E.I. Potato Board came flying to its own defence and to the defence of big french fry companies Monday after a well-known Island farmer and agriculture activist accused the companies last week of undercutting potato prices and the board of being in a conflict of interest.

The board vehemently denied both allegations.

Last Thursday, Danny Hendricken, well known for his work with the National Farmers’ Union, told the provincial agriculture standing committee that processing companies like Cavendish Farms and McCain’s have been undercutting P.E.I. potato prices by flooding the open market with cheap potatoes.