Officials with Irving-owned Cavendish Farms say the company is willing to be part of any scientific study looking at the cause of high nitrate levels in P.E.I.'s groundwater.

'We've actually discouraged the use of high levels of nitrates.'— Mary Keith, Cavendish Farms

"It's certainly an issue that we're very much aware of and we would welcome an opportunity to participate in some scientific investigative work and research," said company spokeswoman Mary Keith.

The Island's farming industry came in for criticism last week following the release of a joint federal-provincial report on nitrate levels in drinking water. Both the study and the provincial government highlighted growing potatoes, in particular potatoes for french fry manufacturers like Cavendish Farms, as a major source of the problem.

While it stands ready to participate in further work on the problem, Cavendish Farms is not ready to concede that its suppliers are necessarily the source of the trouble.

Read the complete article at:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2007/04/23/nitrates-...