Cavendish Farms Ask for Potato Accessibility for Its Processing Plant

French-fry giant Cavendish Farms has reiterated its desire to see the end of a moratorium on new high-capacity agricultural wells pegged by the company as a way for P.E.I. potato farmers to stay competitive.

Cavendish Farms president Robert Irving repeated his longstanding call as keynote speaker at the Canadian Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce President's Annual Luncheon, according to cbc.ca.

He told the luncheon that the industry can't rely solely on rain to produce product — and he added that importing potatoes is not sustainable.

Following the speech, Irving told the CBC that "there's an opportunity" for all sides to work together to find a solution.

"We as a business and our growers here, how do we find a way with government and with the watershed groups here on Prince Edward Island to utilize the water here in a more controlled, but responsible manner," he said.

Cavendish Farms had to import potatoes last season when it was dry and there were low yields.

"We need quality potatoes and of course potatoes need water to grow and if we have a shortfall of rain, then we're at risk of not having potatoes for our plants," said Irving.

The moratorium on new wells was put in place in 2002. P.E.I. gets all its water from wells, and environmental groups supporting the moratorium are concerned high-capacity wells could affect both the quantity and the quality of what is available.

Photo source: Jamestown Sun