06/18/07 Workshops for spud growers

Idaho potato growers are going to get updates on the potato cyst nematode eradication and testing program thanks to a series of workshops beginning this week. They will also learn about some new Environmental Protection Agency proposals. The Potato Growers of Idaho executive director Keith Esplin says EPA is taking comments now on soil fumigants. ESPLIN "It's interesting there is no food safety issue involved, worker safety issues seem to be fine but they are worried about bystanders, people who live near the fields. And yet, I was just at the Department of Ag. We figured out of about 20 thousand applications in the last eight years they've had ten complaints." Esplin says EPA is contemplating buffer zones and other mitigation measures that would impact not only spud farmers but some onion and sugarbeet growers. ESPLIN "Since this isn't a food safety issue they can take into account economic impacts and so that's why we need growers to help get that information into them because you know it's not something I can do by myself. I can't say what these impacts could be." The first meeting is Wednesday evening in Boise. On Thursday there are two sessions; first in Burley, then in American Falls. Friday's workshops are in Rigby and Shelley and it wraps up Tuesday, June 26th in Blackfoot. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott