Idaho Organic Week & Indonesia Trade

Thursday Jun 21st, 2012 39 Views Northwest Report

Idaho Organic Week & Indonesia Trade plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Last week we spoke with Washington Congressman Doc Hastings about a letter he and Dave Reichert sent to Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk regarding trade with Indonesia.

HASTINGS: The letter we sent was a bi-partisan letter principally of those of us on the west coast because that’s where there’s such a diversity of agriculture in our state, Oregon and California. No question about that - apples and cherries specifically and pears for us in the northwest.

Indonesia has now announced that they will continue to allow U.S. fresh fruits and vegetables to enter through the Port of Jakarta and will delay new import licensing restrictions until September.

Idaho Governor “Butch” Otter has declared the week of June 24-30, Idaho Organic Week. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has partnered with the Boise Co-op to host an Organic Products Showcase June 25, 11:00am-2:00pm, to kick off the week.Customers will then get the opportunity to meet local organic producers and sample their products. The week-long celebration recognizes the importance of organic producers, processors, and distributors in Idaho. Idaho ranks in the top 10 in the nation for the production of several organic crops. Idaho has over 232 organic operations that provide a diverse selection including vegetables, meats, milk and wine as well as non-food crops such as hay and barley.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

It’s that time of year. The kids are out of school and families are planning summer vacations. Even with the high cost of gas it’s expected that thousands of families will be hitting the roads for vacation destinations this year. And what do families bring back with them from their summer holiday, why souvenirs of course. Make sure this year though you don’t unknowingly bring unwanted visitors back home with you. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is urging summer travelers to “join the fight against invasive pests by not packing a pest”. Invasive insect species can hitch a ride on fresh produce, plants, processed foods, and hand crafted items. Such unwanted hitchhikers can then become established in states where they can ultimately destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars in eradication efforts. That’s why Customs and Border Protection officers stop vacationers to inspect baggage and vehicles. They’re not out to ruin your vacation fun or memories, they’re just working to safeguard the nation's $157 billion agriculture, fishing and forestry industries. So instead of giving them a hard time, give them a hand. Don’t pack a pest.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.