02/20/07 Spud board; EPA reform

Several Idahoans are among the 27 people named by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to the National Potato Promotion Board. Stanley Searle of Shelley is one of nine producers reappointed to the board for a three year term beginning March first. Newly appointed potato promotion board members are John Harper of Mountain Home, James Hoff of Idaho Falls, Brent Stoker of Burley, Curtis Stoddard of Grace and Carl Madsen Ball of Hamer. Dale Beck of Twin Falls was named to the board as an importer representative. The board administers an industry-funded national research and promotion program to increase US exports and domestic potato consumption. USDA`s Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operations of the board. Larry Craig is trying to get changes made to the Endangered Species Act. The Idaho senator has joined with Wyoming's Craig Thomas by introducing legislation that would he says will be 'better for our environment, our resources and the people who enjoy them.' The reform bill if passed would improve the listing process by requiring adequate science that is field tested and peer reviewed, improve state involvement in the listing and recovery process, mandate a published recovery plan at the time of species' listing and mandating delisting when recovery criteria are met. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott