08/18/06 Trade policy concerns

Farm and Ranch August 18, 2006 As an appointee to a national advisory committee on agricultural trade, called ATAC, Skagit Valley potato grower Roger Knutzen has received an education in the philosophy of opening up world trade. And while Knutzen says trade is important he is concerned about just where the Bush Administration's trade policy of eliminating subsidies and import duties, if others do the same, would take U.S. agriculture. The fifth generation potato grower, who doesn't get subsidies, thinks U.S. agriculture needs some level of protection against developing countries who do not have minimum wage laws and have lower costs of production. Knutzen: " I am really concerned that if we just throw things wide open and allow open trade without any subsidies, without any domestic supports, I am frightened that we would completely lose our agriculture here. I think that is critical for us that we are able to feed our own people without having to bring it in. Good example is the oil. Once we get dependent on oil from other countries, then that is not a good thing." Knutzen thinks the European Union is doing a better job looking out for agriculture than the U.S. is. Knutzen: "But again they have gone to bed hungry and we haven't." Knutzen says U.S. Senators are the only ones holding the line on the value of agribusiness and the food supply because every state has some agriculture that the senators support. 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.