12/20/05 Coddling moth Taiwan update

There had been some fear by apple industry insiders that the so called "third strike", a third detection of coddling moth in U.S. apple shipments to Taiwan, could happen sometime this month. Fortunately, as the important holiday shipping season continues on, that third detection has not been the case. And the Northwest Horticultural Council continues to work to make sure it stays that way. On our shore, eligible growers and shippers are aware more than ever to take precautions before sending apples to Taiwan. And on the diplomatic end, Council President Chris Schlect says Vice President Mark Powers and Vice-President for Scientific Affairs Mike Willett have spent much time this month in Taiwan meeting with U.S. and Taiwanese officials there. SCHLECT: That country does not have actual full diplomatic relations with the United States, so there's an American Institute on Taiwan that's actually in Taipei, there's not an U.S. embassy. There's a Foreign Agricultural Service staff. And then there's an A.P.H.I.S. officer there. Willett has also met with Taiwanese university researchers on scientific merits or non-merits of the existing "three-strikes" protocol, Taiwanese growers to hear their level of concern about coddling moth, and government officials. The meetings were designed not only to have a smooth protocol in place to conduct a quick reopening in the event of a third-strike, but in working on the long term goal of changing the "third-strike" protocol to prevent market shut downs.