POTATO ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA: 89th Annual Meeting Calgary, Alberta July 17-21, 2005, THE

American Journal of Potato Research, Jan/Feb 2006

4. Stuart Grey discussed the survey and the meeting with CFIA the evening before. He said: "The survey results are not complete, although we are starting the 2005 survey. We recognized some of the shortcomings of the assays. There is agreement to meet and to share information, e.g. in the spring to discuss the final results of the first year and the preliminary results of 2006. There is also agreement that one year is not enough to allow us to suggest significant changes, but there is agreement to make amendments to the survey where needed. The results in Canada and the US showed that the population dynamics were similar on both sides of the border. Other ways of determining strains may be more useful. The US is more advanced than Canada, and data sharing will be important to allow changes to be suggested. Modifications should be suggested before the first week of June."

5. BRR Standardization committee. Steve Marquardt reminded people of an earlier effort of Dick Clark to standardize procedures. Steve explained that BRR samples have been sent. It was moved and seconded Steve Marquardt and, Allan Westra, to have the standardization committee for viruses and BRR set up again. Passed. There is expertise in the PAA certification panel that should be used. Duly moved and seconded the motion passed to pay the raising of the BRR infected samples and have them sent out by NDSU, in an amount up to up to $1,000.00. Steve Marquardt and Colleen Thompson. Passed. Steve Marquardt, Amy Charkowski, Keith Perry, Tony Iynn DeHaan and probably another CFIA member will be members of the committee. Steve Marquardt will be acting as chair.

6. The BRR Task Force consists of Phil Nolte, Steve Marquardt, Rob Davidson, Allan Westra, Neil Gudmestad, Carol Ishimaro, Solke de Boer, Alain Boucher, Colleen Thompson. The suggestion was made to create an email list.

Francois Mercure said that CFIA has not changed much in the sampling procedure for BRR over the last years. The sampling regime has been changed to minimum testing of two lots on the farm and each lot that is sold of the farm has to be tested at 400 tubers or more.

7. Post Harvest is not required in Canada. Some provinces have a post harvest test requirement for planting, such as PEI and ALB. CFIA would like to find another location for the winter test. Amy Charkowski had a student who analyzed that a 400 tuber sample is a reasonable reflection on the lot. Solke De Boer said that statistics do not change with the size of the lot. If you take more samples you can find a lower percentage. It all depends on whether the sample has been taken randomly. ND takes 600 tubers, but most states take 400 tuber samples. A lab test should help determine what is an appropriate lab test, what is your level, what do you do with latent infections, what should be done to define the standards. Gary Leever prefers a grow-out because it allows you to determine chemical damage or variety mixture. Colleen Thompson expressed that a lab. test can have a place in the post harvest test. Rob Davidson said that most of our post harvest test problems are cause by sampling. Colleen Thompson suggested that all agencies should agree on sample size. Solke De Boer moved that the standards committee be charged to set out the parameters by which post harvest test would be acceptable, seconded by Kent Sather. Passed. Maine, Idaho, Minnesota indicated that they require a lab test for PVA, besides PVY and PLRV, when no grow out is available .