19 Jan United Potato Partners Seminar – Jan 30/2017

The 2018 United Potato Partners Seminar will be held at Red Shores, 21 Exhibition Drive, Charlottetown, on Tuesday, January 30th. Once again, United Potato Growers of Canada and the PEI Potato Board have developed an agenda that we feel brings top-notch speakers and valuable information for farmers and other industry members. Topics include:

– NAFTA Re-negotiation: Round 6 of the NAFTA negotiations will take place in Montreal next week. Agriculture has been one of the contentious issues, despite strong support from agricultural groups in all three member countries. Two of the Canadian officials involved in the negotiations will provide an update on Round 6, as well as implications for our industry if President Trump decides to withdraw from NAFTA.

– Carbon Tax Pricing: Several provinces have announced how they intend to meet the federal directive on carbon pricing, and some, including Prince Edward Island, have not yet finalized or announced their approaches. Manitoba’s “Climate and Green Plan” states “Farmers growing our food are on the front lines of climate change in Manitoba.” Keystone Agricultural Producers of Manitoba has been active in the discussions, and will share the approach for agriculture in that province.

– Market Updates/Outlook: Prices and movement have been strong in Canada and the US to date this season. Updates will be provided on the European, U.S., Canadian and PEI supply, demand and outlook. The implications of the ongoing truck shortage will also be discussed.

– Changing Potato Consumption: Potatoes have been unfairly targeted by fad diets and nutritional misinformation over the past few decades. A change in direction on the part of the Alliance for Potato Research & Education (APRE), which is funded in part by Prince Edward Island potato farmers and Canadian processors, is concentrating research efforts on developing a better understanding of the nutritional and health impacts of potatoes. The research areas and path forward will be explained.

Presenters include:
– Mark Klompien, President/CEO of United Potato Growers of America
– Kevin MacIsaac, General Manager, United Potato Growers of Canada
– Peter Johnson, Vice President of Quality Assurance, Cavendish Farms
– Mark Phillips, Market Information Officer, Prince Edward Island Potato Board
– Denis Landreville, Director, Trade Negotiations Division and Lead agriculture negotiator for Regional and Bilateral Trade Agreements, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
– Kal Whitnell, Senior Director, Economic Research and Trade Negotiations, Innovation PEI
– Dan Mazier, President, Keystone Agricultural Producers of Manitoba

There is no charge for the event, but we will be hosting lunch at Red Shores for those who register in advance, and need to provide the numbers to Red Shores for that meal. Please call, email or fax the Board with your registration information by Thursday, January 25th.