The executive director of Agriculture Canada's International Trade Policy Directorate said in Ottawa that the U.S. would end its ban on Prince Edward Island potatoes.
The statement was made today with the formal announcement expected late today.
Rory McAlpine told reporters: "It'll all be made official later today. As to when potatoes will actually move across the border, it will still be a couple of days, I think. Obviously, we're pleased with the outcome. It comes just in time in terms of planting for this spring's crop."
The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council estimates PEI growers lost C$30 million mainly because other Canadian provinces were reluctant to import PEI potatoes because of U.S. restrictions on their movement within Canada.
U.S. industry leaders had no statements about the abrupt change in direction on the phytosanitary restrictions today.