11/23/07 Agreement will facilitate potato trade with Canada

Farm and Ranch November 23, 2007 A recently reached agreement between the U.S. and Canada will eliminate what U.S. potato growers viewed as an unfair trading practice on the part of Canada. The agreement which took effect November 1st modified the Canadian system of Ministerial Exemptions, which in the past required a Canadian importer of potatoes, say a processor, to go to the government to get a declaration that there was a shortage of potatoes. Matt Harris, Director of Trade for the Washington State Potato Commission, says the problem was that a supplier in a neighboring province could mandate that the processor take its potatoes. Harris: "Not all Russet potatoes are great for processing into French fries. So it would really inhibit that company from bringing in a quality product." Harris says this agreement establishes under a three-year timeline the ability to bring in potatoes up and beyond what they would consider their average shipment. And then in year three; Harris: "What it basically allows for is if there is a contractual agreement 60-days prior to the importation of the potatoes, that those potatoes would be able to be imported into Canada to be processed or to be used." Harris sees the agreement as a win-win for U.S. potato growers and for Canadian importers who will be able to get quality potatoes. 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.