A senior federal trade official spent Easter weekend in Washington, D.C., trying to convince the United States government to allow Prince Edward Island potatoes to be shipped to the rest of Canada.
It was a galling prospect for Canadian officials who earlier in the week thought they had a deal with the Americans that would allow P.E.I. producers to begin shipping to American markets and the rest of Canada by April 12.
One day after Ottawa received a confirmation letter, the American government reversed itself under pressure from the U.S. potato industry. It was the second time it reversed itself in this six-month-old battle over U.S. concerns about potato wart in P.E.I. potatoes.
Read Also
Soybean market still figuring out implications of China-U.S. pact
Soybean futures had a muted reaction to the U.S. trade deal with China as the market tries to figure out the nuances of the deal.
It said April 11 that island table potatoes going to other Canadian provinces would have to be washed and treated with sprout inhibitor.
Earlier, it appeared to be agreeing to internal Canadian shipments in bags of 50 pounds or less, with no other restrictions.
Agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief clearly was frustrated April 11, one day after flying to P.E.I. to try to make peace with farmers by announcing an imminent reopening of most of their export markets.
“There is no science they can base that on,” he told reporters.
“It’s clearly a protectionist measure that I believe … has come about with pressure … from the industry in the United States in order to use a protectionist measure to keep the border closed.”
On April 13, Vanclief issued a statement announcing another Canadian attempt to reason with the Americans.
“To this end, the foreign policy adviser to the prime minister is en route to Washington to press this important matter with his counterpart at the White House,” he said.
By press time, there had been no further announcements.
Canada has started proceedings toward a challenge under the North American Free Trade Agreement, but is reluctant to follow that course because it could take more than a year and would keep the border closed.
But the U.S. government seems unwilling or unable to make a political settlement that would displease a powerful domestic potato lobby.
It leaves Canada with internal trade policy dictated by the U.S. and it leaves relations between Vanclief and island farmers strained.
