Seed Potato Certification in Canada

Certification of seed potatoes in Canada is the responsibility of the Canadian Food inspection Agency. The seed program is based on a limited generation system. The number of field generations is limited to seven. The seed automatically moves down one generation (class) each year. Initially the first generation (Pre-elite) originates from tested nuclear stock to ensure pathogen freedom. This pathogen freedom is maintained as the seed sequentially moves downward annually and the fields must pass rigorous field inspection. A sample of the plants or tubers in each field is subject to a laboratory test for Bacterial Ring Rot (except Certified class) every year. Seed potato growers participate in a voluntary post harvest test in Hawaii for additional virus readings as established by market demand.

CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Year in FieldSeed ClassGenerationRequirements
-Nuclear Seed (N)-Produced in an enclosed environment from pathogen free stock
1Pre-Elite (PE)1Grown from N seed
2Elite 1 (E1)2Grown from N or PE seed
3Elite 2 (E2)3Grown from N, PE or E1 seed
4Elite 3 (E3)4Grown from N, PE, E1 or E2 seed
5Elite 4 (E4)5Grown from N, PE, E1, E2 or E3 seed
6Foundation (F)6Grown from N, PE, E1, E2, E3 or E4 seed
7Certified ©7Grown from N, PE, E1, E2, E3, E4 or F seed

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BC Certified Seed Potato Growers Association

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