You spoke earlier about potatoes intended for processing. I experienced this as a producer. Let us speak in terms of vans, as that is a language that everyone can understand. Each van contains approximately 35 tons. I sent potatoes destined to be made into fries. We all know that fresh potatoes have to be reconditioned in order to be made into fries. However, under the protocol, these potatoes would need to be washed, a decision that I opposed. The potatoes started to rot two days later, and we had to throw them out. They weren’t usable anymore.
As soon as we say “Saint-Amable”, in either the fresh or processing markets, we see that people are scared to buy our product. In spite of our affirmations that the potatoes are fit for human consumption, just saying that they come from Saint-Amable provokes a reaction. A myth is being established.
Approximately 80% of the tests conducted in our fields came back positive. I’m not fooling myself: there probably won’t be any more potatoes in Saint-Amable.
What can we do now? Our stores are chock full. Some producers have to buy their potatoes elsewhere, simply to maintain their client base. It’s like selling potatoes for wooden nickels. Our potatoes are stored, but we can’t sell them. We have to buy potatoes from outside of the region in order to meet the needs of our clients and the markets. It is a sad situation.
Our employees don’t have anything left to pack. We aren’t working and we’re not making any money. Our region employs 100 people in this field. At the risk of repeating myself, the next generation is worried and is wondering what will happen. We are talking about 2006, but what about the future of our youth? They’re all asking me what they should do.