10/11/06 Canadian life spud import ban

The US and Canada have reached an agreement that lifts almost all of the American import restrictions on agricultural products from Quebec where the golden nematode has been discovered. Certain farm products from a small area in Quebec are still under quarantine and so is an area in eastern Idaho where potato cyst nematode was found last April. The Canadians have agreed to open their border to Idaho potatoes outside the quarantine area. Wayne Hoffman of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture says the nematodes have been confirmed in five different fields, all in Bingham and Bonneville counties but the search continues. HOFFMAN "Still working and cooperating with the potato industry in our surveillance. I think we've been very, very successful so far and the decision by the Canadian government is evidence of that success." Canadian and American officials have agreed on a science based framework that creates regulated areas but commodities outside those specified areas are not subject to PCN trade restrictions. Now a joint team is looking at ways that they can manage potato cyst nematode on both sides of the border. The United Potato Growers of Idaho will sponsor the music and entertainment Saturday at Freeman Park in Idaho Falls for the First Annual Harvest Fest. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott