04/18/07 Idaho spuds to Cuba; Tuthill's new title

There's a possibility that some Idaho potatoes could end up in Cuba, either in the ground or on the dinner table. Idaho Potato Commission executive director Frank Muir is just back from the Governor's trade mission to Cuba. MUIR "They would like to buy particularly seed potatoes and frozen French fries." Muir met with the Cuban officials in charge of buying food for the island nation and says they're well aware of Idaho potatoes. He's trying to help two Cuban officials get visas so they can come to Idaho. MUIR "And they are very much interested in coming here and doing the necessary phytosanitary inspections that need to be done in order to ship Idaho seed into Cuba." Cubans also want more frozen French fries especially for its restaurants and hotels. MUIR "We are going to be soliciting input interests from the major processors here in Idaho to see if they would like to participate in that and to perhaps give them a bid on products shipped to Cuba." Long term Muir hopes to sell fresh potatoes in Cuba where he says there is a definite need. And Dave Tuthill got a standing ovation when he got rid of the interim title. At the Water Summit yesterday Governor Butch Otter named Tuthill as the new director for the Idaho Department of Water Resources, a job Tuthill held on an interim basis since January. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott