07/11/05 Potato duty hearing begins

07/11/05 Potato duty hearing begins

Washington Ag July 11, 2005 A Canadian International Trade Tribunal hearing begins today in Vancouver, B.C. in the Washington potato industry's challenge to British Columbia's long running anti-dumping duties imposed on fresh U.S. potatoes. Matt Harris who heads up international trade for the Washington State Potato Commission, says British Columbia growers will present their case first, then Washington's potato industry will rebut that and present its evidence against the duties. Harris: "One of the main points we have made on this is that their anti-dumping duties are meant to be temporary. There is nothing temporary about 21 years. So we are feeling very optimistic about this." Harris says a ruling could come in September. He says if Washington loses there other avenues to be pursued. The state Department of Ecology says it will offer more than 92-million dollars to communities and organizations throughout Washington in the coming year to improve water quality. That's about 16-million dollars less than last year. The money can be used for such things as reclaiming waster water, improving habitat for salmon and other endangered fish, and reducing pollution from agricultural practices. I'm Bob Hoff.
Previous Report07/08/05 Feds fund freight transportation center
Next Report07/12/05 McMorris says House to work on ESA reform