The golden nematode negatively affects plants of the family Solanaceae by forming cysts on the roots of susceptible species.

[2] Symptoms of golden nematode infestation are not unique, and thus identification of the pest is usually performed through testing of soil samples.

Specialists from Agriculture Canada surveyed all fields in BC in which potatoes were grown in an attempt to detect and isolate the problem.

Nevertheless, for many Saanich farmers the quarantine caused considerable and long-lasting financial damage, particularly for those who had invested heavily in formerly lucrative potato industry.

[13] Lobby groups throughout BC, however, appealed to the provincial and federal governments to retain the ban, arguing that even the remote possibility of spreading the golden nematode by opening up the Saanich Peninsula to international trade would negatively impact the BC vegetable industry[16] A decision was made to retain the ban, and appeals to the government by Saanich farmers for redress were refused on the grounds of previous financial restitution.

[9][17] The golden nematode infestation and the resultant ban on root crop growth, especially potatoes, had both direct and indirect consequences for the Saanich Peninsula community.

[18] Additionally, the Peninsula farmers were forced to look to alternate crops and agri-tourism solutions to remain afloat; the Golden Nematode Order[11] banned the growth of potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers, which together account for approximately 50% of all fresh vegetables consumed by Canadians.

Without access to this substantial portion of the market, Peninsula farmers sought alternate crops, which included kiwis, berries, and grapes.