FOOD SAFETY :  FOOD SAFETY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

The regulatory authority for the certification of seed potatoes is contained under Part II of the Seeds Regulations. (Registration SOR/97-118).

Canada's seed potato certification program is designed to regulate both the varietal purity and health of seed stocks. The most important features of the program are:

1. DISEASE-FREE NUCLEAR SEED: All seed potatoes produced in Canada originate with nuclear stocks which are produced under sterile conditions from plant tissue cultures that have been subjected to laboratory tests and found free of disease causing pathogens.
   

2. LIMITED FIELD GENERATIONS: Seed potatoes CANNOT be propagated in the field for more than seven generations (seven years). The first field generation, which is produced from nuclear stock, is eligible for certification at the Pre-Elite class. Subsequent field production must move downward through the classification system. This "limited generation system" minimizes the risk of disease build-up. (In Manitoba most of the seed potatoes produced for commercial planting is Elite 4 or fifth generation seed, - limited amounts of six or seven generation seed is produced.)

The seed classes from the youngest to the oldest are listed below:

3. DISEASE AND VARIETAL PURITY STANDARDS: Disease freedom and varietal purity is maintained through a program consisting of multiple growing crop inspections, laboratory testing, Post Harvest testing and sound cultural practices.

The Elite 4, Foundation and Certified classes of seed must undergo and pass two growing crop inspections. The Pre-Elite and Elite 1, 2, and 3 classes of seed must undergo and pass three growing crop inspections. All field inspections are made during a time most opportune for the visual detection of disease symptoms and foreign varieties in the growing crop.

The standards for certification of all classes of seed are set out in Sections 47.2 - 47.8 of the seed regulations. The maximum levels of detectable disease on the final inspection of the growing crop for the main commercial classes are summarized below:

NOTE:
Inspection for the purpose of certification is made either visually or through laboratory testing of samples or both. Certification does not constitute a warranty by either The Canadian Food Inspection Agency or the grower that the seed potatoes meet the applicable standard set out in Sections 47.2 to 47.8 of the Seed regulations.