Lots of issues for annual meeting of the National Potato Council
Farm and Ranch December 31, 2009 The National Potato Council holds its annual meeting next week, January 3rd and 4th in Orlando, Florida. Washington grower and former Potato Commission Chairman Ed Schneider has been president of the NPC this past year and says there will be many issues to discuss at the meeting. He says they are working with United Fresh on a single GAP, Good Agricultural Practices, that would cover all fruits and vegetables, which would really help on food safety. Schneider: “We are also going to have to discuss where the metam sodium reregistration is, which is a fumigant that is really important to Washington state growers. That is one of the main things we use. We will talk some more about the tariff issue with Mexico regarding importation of frozen potato products, the Administration‘s ban on Mexican trucks. Those are the big issues and we will be doing house keeping things we have to do once a year.” Two particular goals Schneider had for his tenure were getting a chemical use and data collection project operational and finalizing an NPC Sustainability Document. On the first of those Schneider says; Schneider: “It’s coming. It‘s got a little ways to go but I was pleased with the progress and we continue to work in the sustainability issues we have in the industry. We are gaining.” Schneider’s term as president of the National Potato Council will end at next week’s meeting. That’s 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.
