07/25/08 Study documents tariff impact on Washington potato industry

Farm and Ranch July 25, 2008 The Washington State Potato Commission has received findings that will help its growers who ship overseas inform Congressional leaders of the importance of free trade with respect to potatoes grown in Washington State. Potato Commission Director of Trade Matt Harris says Washington State University answered the question, "If a tariff reduction occurs, what is the impact to the Washington state potato industry and economy in general?" Harris: "If we are exporting our French fries to a foreign country like Japan, China, Viet Nam, if we reduce our tariffs by 10% across the board, we see an increase in both the labor needed in Washington state to generate those economic dollars for export. And then also basically the value of those products increase because you are decreasing that tax you are incurring on delivering your goods to that customer overseas." That product value increase with a ten percent tariff reduction was put in excess of 35 million dollars. There would also be 11-hundred more jobs created in the state's potato industry. Free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama and South Korea, which would lower tariffs on Washington potatoes, are still pending in Congress. That is the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.