05/20/05 Asking tough questions on CAFTA

Farm and Ranch May 20, 2005 The Washington Council for International Trade was in the nation's Capitol this week working on trade issues. Pat Boss, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, was part of that effort and he says a major focus of the visit was the Central American Free Trade Agreement, CAFTA, which the Council strongly supports. Boss says CAFTA is a huge issue for the state's potato industry. Boss: "In the case of potatoes, if we don't get the CAFTA agreement Canada will own Central America, because Canada has already gone in and negotiated an agreement in Central America that gives a very tiny tariff. I think they are paying about 10% right now and I think our tariffs are close to 40% on potatoes and French fries. So there are already losses of business here as a result of the Canadian agreement and in our case we need to level the playing field and get an agreement that is just as could as what Canada got or we are going to lose that market." Boss says they were visiting the entire Washington delegation and were prepared to ask tough questions of some Puget Sound Representatives who have said they oppose CAFTA. Boss: "Why our legislator would take votes that would basically allow Canada now to own those markets." Boss says transportation issues were also on the agenda this trip, like more federal funding for the produce rail car program. And there were EPA visits on crop protection issues. 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.