Raw Milk Recall & Pressing For Extension

The statutory deadline for the full implementation of positive train control or PTC safety technology is rapidly approaching, and it is clear that our nation’s passenger and freight railroads are unable to meet the deadline. Representative Dan Newhouse says this deal is crucial to farmers.

NEWHOUSE: Many of the supplies, particularly fertilizers and pesticides move by rail as well as moving products, finished agricultural products to market. So by not granting an extension of the deadline for positive train control would in effect stop movement by rail for these products and so that would have a huge detrimental impact on agricultural producers in the state of Washington; really throughout the country. We could see certainly shortages of fertilizer, higher input costs and in the long run higher consumer costs as well.

Idaho has seen eight illnesses associated with drinking of raw milk. Four individuals have Campylobacter and four with E. coli 0157:H7 infections. Officials are working to recall raw milk from Natural Farm Fresh Dairy in Kuna, Idaho. In a prepared statement the dairy said they are committed to providing a safe and wholesome product to its customers and that they are voluntarily removing all raw milk products currently on the shelves in retail stores and we will discontinue further distribution of our raw milk until additional product testing is completed.

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