09/07/07 Washington Potato Commission working rail issues

Farm and Ranch September 7, 2007 Too expensive and too unreliable. That is how the Washington State Potato Commission views service by the major railroads today. Creation of the Washington Produce Rail Car program was an effort to partially address the problem. But the Potato Commission is also supporting some legislation at the national level which would make some fundamental changes in how major rail carriers are treated. And the potato industry isn't alone. It's part of a coalition of shippers from numerous industries called Customers United for Rail Equity, or CURE, that support enactment of Senate bill 772, the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2007. Shippers say since Congress deregulated the competitive activities of the nation's railroads in 1980, the major railroads have consolidated to only four that provide over 90 percent of the nation's rail transportation. Rail customers rarely have access to more than one railroad. The bi-partisan Senate bill 772 would address that monopoly power by repealing railroad exemptions from the nation's antitrust laws so that the law fully covers railroads as it does other industries. States and private parties with standing could also sue over anti-competitive rail practices. Last year a General Accountability Office report concluded that lack of rail competition means a growing percentage of rail customers are paying three times or more what it costs the railroad to move their freight. 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.