10/14/05 Potato Commission talks with Goodlatte

10/14/05 Potato Commission talks with Goodlatte

Farm and Ranch October 14, 2005 Representatives of the Washington State Potato Commission are keeping potato grower concerns on the screen of national decision makers. One of those is Bob Goodlatte, Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, who was recently at a forum in Ritzville hosted by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris. Goodlatte's committee will be involved in writing the next farm bill and before his visit he said;. Goodlatte: "We'll start the process of holding hearings around the country late this year and into next year but this will be an opportunity for Congresswoman McMorris and her constituents to have some early expressions of view points on how they would like to see that next farm bill formulated." Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt took that opportunity and spoke personally with Goodlatte on developing specific speciality crop programs in the upcoming farm bill and strengthening USDA research programs. Voigt also addressed the issues of APHIS trade specialists and border security as well as maintaining programs to grow export markets for potatoes. This week Voigt and Assistant Commission Executive Director Karen Bonaudi met at the Port of Seattle with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan who is on the Senate Ag Committee. That meeting also included representatives of Starbucks and Weyerhaeuser with the discussion focusing on trade barriers, regulatory challenges, nutrition and security concerns. Everyone is looking for money to fund hurricane recovery efforts and ag funding is on the chopping block, but Stabenow voiced her support for agriculture. 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.
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