06/01/05 Governor`s trade mission to Asia

One by one as they paraded before the microphone the participants on a just completed Asian trade mission touted the benefits of the trip. Governor Dirk Kempthorne led the mission which included several agricultural representatives. The governor spent time with Japanese leaders trying to encourage them to reopen their border to Idaho beef imports. KEMPTHORNE "Their consumers want to have US beef. So I really believe it's in the very near future." Bill Syms of the Idaho Potato Commission spent his time trying to get more fresh and dehydrated potatoes into Asian markets. SYMS "Once you get the message out there to these high level people in the governments and in economics you're on the radar.'" Gary Fuhriman of Idaho Farm Bureau concentrated on promoting some of the state's other crops. FUHRIMAN "We had the opportunity to meet with a number of import associations and other private importers talking to them about the Idaho grapes, Idaho vegetables, Idaho beans." Several trade delegations from China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan are now planning trips to Idaho in the fall and Kempthorne says they're coming with the intent of buying Idaho farm products. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott