02/23/07 Japan reopens to most U.S. chip spuds

Farm and Ranch February 23, 2007 The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently announced that Japan had reopened its market to U.S. chipping potatoes. Japan had temporarily suspended U.S. imports of all varieties of chipping potatoes in April of 2006 immediately following the first U.S. detection of potato cyst nematode in Idaho. Washington is one of 13 states than can now ship chipping spuds to Japan until June 30th. Idaho cannot. Matt Harris, who heads up international trade for the Washington State Potato Commission, says they are glad Japan has done a thorough scientific evaluation of the limited pest outbreak and decided to reopen the fresh chip potato market. However, growers may not be able to take advantage of the opportunity until next year because of some actions they must follow. Harris: "Yes growers will have to certify that their fields have been inspected for potato cyst nematode and have been found free of and demonstrate that while shipping or exporting goods to Japan. So for the most part I would expect for the 08 year Washington growers can plan accordingly to look at export to the Japan market." Currently, all U.S. chipping potatoes exported to Japan must also be grown from seed potatoes produced outside of Idaho. 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.