Conseil canadien de la pomme de terre
The Canadian Potato Council (CPC) is the national potato working group of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC).About the Canadian Potato Council
The Canadian Potato Council (CPC) is the national potato working group of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC). CPC brings together provincial potato organizations from across Canada’s major producing regions to provide a unified national voice for Canadian potato growers and advance shared priorities on trade, plant health, crop protection, research, and regulatory issues.
Canada’s potato industry includes approximately 951 farms and generates about $2.1 billion in farm cash receipts in 2024. CPC helps ensure the needs and perspectives of potato growers are represented in national discussions that affect the sector’s competitiveness, profitability, and long-term success.
Vision
A thriving Canadian potato industry.
Mandate
A unified voice of Canadian potato growers, overseeing initiatives leading to increased profitability of the industry.
Values
CPC’s work is guided by a national focus, a unified and influential voice, meaningful engagement, transparency and trust, and a commitment to working smart through collaboration.
Strategic Priorities
CPC’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan is focused on four priorities:
- Effective CPC structure and governance
- Pre-emptive advocacy specific to trade
- Recherche
- Pest management
Through these priorities, CPC is working to strengthen national coordination, support research and knowledge transfer, advance science-based trade and regulatory approaches, and ensure potato growers have a strong voice in crop protection and pest management discussions.
Policy Priorities
Canada–U.S. Trade and Market Stability
CPC supports predictable, science-based cross-border trade and strong bilateral engagement between Canada and the United States. Canadian potato growers are united in their view that CUSMA has served the industry well so far, and that its existing provisions should be maintained and strengthened to ensure the continued flow of free, fair, and predictable trade in potatoes and potato products across North America. With trade relationships facing increasing pressure, CPC is working to help protect market stability and ensure Canadian potato growers continue to have reliable access to key export markets.
Potato Wart and Market Access
Potato wart remains a key national file for CPC. CPC supports consistent implementation of the National Potato Wart Response Plan and continues to advocate for fair, science-based decision-making that protects market access and maintains confidence in Canadian potatoes.
Science-Based Regulation
CPC is advocating for regulatory decisions that remain grounded in science and fact, while also recognizing the economic realities of potato production. This includes support for an economic lens at CFIA that takes into account both plant health and the broader business importance of agriculture.
Plant Breeders’ Rights and Innovation
CPC supports updates to plant breeders’ rights regulations to better align with international standards, encourage innovation, and improve access to new potato varieties. CPC is also supportive of efforts to streamline variety registration and maintain strong federal capacity in this area.
Research and Crop Protection
CPC’s policy work is also supported by ongoing efforts in research and pest management. Through its work with partners and government, CPC continues to advance national research priorities, support knowledge transfer to growers, and advocate for access to effective crop protection tools and practical, science-based regulatory approaches.
