CHARLOTTETOWN - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is restricting imports of American seed potatoes because of an outbreak of the mop top virus. The restriction comes after the discovery of the virus, also known as PMTV, in potatoes from nine American states. The virus is not a threat to humans, but it can destroy up to 50 per cent of a crop and live in soil for more than a decade. The virus causes rot inside infected potatoes, making them impossible to market. Francois Mercure of the CFIA says the amount of seed the U.S. exports to Canada is quite small. For now, the CFIA will only allow U.S. number one table potatoes across the border. Two years ago, the U.S. closed its border to potatoes from Prince Edward Island, after potato wart was found in one P.E.I. field.:
