Spudman January 2023 - 44

the physiology section and
production and management
section, member and chair
of the membership
committee, and active
member on three
local arrangements
committees for Idaho.
Thornton has
co-authored over 50
abstracts published in
the American Journal
of Potato Research,
signifying his dedication
to presenting or aiding
in the dissemination of
research at the annual PAA meeting.
Thornton is a true scientist: nonbiased
in his thinking and approach,
open to new ideas and concepts,
entrenched in a solid foundation
of science and knowledge of the
literature, and with a remarkable
ability to represent and interpret
data to achieve the greatest insight.
He has collaborated with diverse
groups, colleagues and industry
partners to investigate and research
important topics for the potato
industry. Thornton blends his aptitude
in the science and physiology of
the crop with an understanding
of potato production, storage,
transportation, uses and
marketing. His ability to meld
the two has produced applied
solutions for the industry
and foundational science for
others to build upon.
Thornton has coauthored
more than 300
diverse potato publications
and presented over 500
potato presentations to
varied audiences.
Leadership and mentoring are two
qualities strongly associated with
Thornton. His leadership extended
far with international collaborations
and activities with EAPR as the U.S.
county representative and member of
the editorial board, and in national
activities such as his leadership on
the National Potato Anti-Bruise
Committee for eight years. Thornton's
contribution to the potato industry is
woven throughout the national and
global industry.
INDUSTRY NEWS
CFIA COMMITS TO
MODERNIZING POTATO WART
PLAN ON PEI
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
announced to the U.S. its intention to
" modernize " the Long Term Management
Plan that is intended to deal with potato
wart on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
This announcement was made during the
Potato Association of America meeting in
Washington, D.C.
" Though we don't have details yet,
this announcement is a positive step by
CFIA. It is consistent with NPC's request
for rapid action by the U.S. and Canadian
governments to address the threat from
potato wart on PEI identified in USDA's
Oct. 14 report, " said Kam Quarles,
National Potato Council CEO.
In mid-October, USDA-APHIS released
a report that " evaluates the likelihood of
introduction of the potato wart pathogen
from Canada into the United States via
a) commercially produced propagative
material (excluding true potato seed),
b) commercially produced potatoes for
consumption and c) soil. "
Specifically, NPC noted the following
conclusions from the report:
* The full extent of the potato wart
infestation in PEI is still unknown, but
is likely to be larger than currently
reported.
* Without mitigation measures, potato
wart is almost certain to be introduced
to U.S. potato production areas via seed
potatoes imported from PEI.
* 37% of all PEI seed is imported to U.S.
production areas where potato wart can
thrive.
* Potatoes for consumption may be a
pathway for the introduction of potato
wart into the United States.
* While some soil samples from the 2021
detection have been tested, several
thousand remain to be collected.
" It will take coordinated, long-term
action by both the U.S. and Canadian
authorities to deal with this threat. We
think CFIA's commitment will necessarily
be reciprocated by USDA-APHIS in
updating the import protocol for potatoes
from PEI, and thereby reducing the
disease risk to the U.S. industry, " said
Jared Balcom, 2022 NPC president.
- National Potato Council
44
Spudman * January 2023
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