09/17/07 PCN interim rule is published

It's the interim rule and its time for comments. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has just published 14 pages of rules and regulations for the potato cyst nematode quarantine in parts of Bingham and Bonneville counties. The interim rule is set to go into effect November first. COOPER "This interim rule is looking at the PCN problem from the immediate problem and more long term of how it's to be dealt with." That's Idaho State Department of Agriculture's Mike Cooper who says the interim rule replaces the federal order initiated 13 months ago in the infected areas. COOPER "This interim rule now is industry and the growers and everybody's first chance to actually comment on the quarantine rules and you have to realized too we may have some of our competitors, the states may comment on it saying 'gee its not tough enough' and stuff like that. People here saying, well gee, it's too tough." After the comments are in, a final order will be issued and that's probably going to happen early next year. The nematode has been detected in seven fields, all of which have been treated during the spring and summer. Later this month soil samples will be taken from those eastern Idaho fields and testing should show if the eradication effort is paying off. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott