September 25, 2014 – Charlottetown, PEI – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and PEI Minister Agriculture and Forestry Minister George Webster announced combined funding of $18,210 for the PEI Potato Quality Institute to purchase new innovative testing equipment.
PEI Potato Quality Institute has purchased a Q1Axcel System, which will enable them to improve laboratory productivity of essential testing services for Island Potato producers. This system will minimalize manual handling during the testing process and dramatically diminish testing time, giving producers faster and more accurate results.
Quick Facts:
- The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, provided funding of $13,210 to support the purchase of new equipment. The Government of Prince Edward Island through the Department of Agriculture and Forestry provided an additional $5,000 through Growing Forward 2.
- The PEI Potato Quality Institute is one of five Canada Food Inspection Agency approved laboratories for meeting regulatory testing requirements, across the country.
- The Prince Edward Island potato industry is worth over a billion dollars to the economy each year. Potatoes are the primary cash crop on Prince Edward Island and the province continues to be the largest potato-producing province in Canada, producing over a quarter of the potatoes in the country.
Quotes:
“Our Government understands that the region’s primary sectors play a key role in strengthening the local economy. Our support for the PEI Potato Quality Institute is an investment in innovation and in our primary sectors, allowing them to remain competitive in the global marketplace.”
- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“The Prince Edward Island potato industry has achieved world-class status for our high quality product and we continue to move forward. The Government of Prince Edward Island is committed to investing in initiatives that encourage new innovative technologies and improved competitiveness. We will continue to work closely with the industry to grow the sector and open new opportunities for Prince Edward Island potatoes."
- The Honourable George Webster, PEI Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
“The QIAxcel system will help to improve the turnaround time of PCR results, in a timelier manner, so that the PEI potato growers can meet potential export market requirements.”
- Mr. Patrick Quilty, Operations Manager, PEI Potato Quality Institute
Associated Links:
• PEI Potato Board
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Katie MacNevin
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-626-2878
April Gallant
PEI Dept of Agriculture and Forestry
902-368-5286
