Tree Fruit Growers Like USMCA Pt 1 with Fruit Bites
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. A sigh of relief could be heard coming from those in the ag industry after the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement was announced.
The NAFTA replacement came at the eleventh hour before a deadline that would have left Canada out.
Many were happy with the news, including Northwest Horticultural Council president Mark Powers ...
POWERS ... "I think it is good news. The way we're describing it is that it modernizes NAFTA and that was the original intent from the administration to take into account, frankly, many things that have nothing to do with us directly, right. I mean, the original agreement was negotiated in 1994 prior to a lot of this intellectual property issues being out there and digital trade and biotechnology and all those kinds of things. So, in large part I think the impetus for a new NAFTA, if you will, or a modernized NAFTA, was really driven from sectors outside of agriculture."
Powers says the USMCA seems to check all of the boxes ...
POWERS ... "All the objectives that we had, as the Northwest Horticultural Council, on behalf of the apple, pear, cherry growers that are out there, were basically met. So, from our standpoint this is a good agreement, something that should move forward in Congress and clear the decks and focus on other problems such as China."
Powers says the success of the negotiations could well serve the U.S. in further negotiations with our North American neighbors and other markets around the world.
Listen tomorrow for more on this modernized NAFTA.
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BL: Welcome back to another "Fruit Bites" brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us as always is Valent's Allison Walston. And this week Allison, let's talk about a pending registration for organic ReTain.
AW: We at Valent have been working for several years to register an organic ReTain. Trial work has shown that the organic formulation works as effective as the conventional ReTain. The organic version of AVG will be called ReTain OL, OL for organic liquid.
BL: When is the EPA approving the registration?
AW: It's coming very soon. Registration is still pending for 2020, but Valent has applied for a national experimental use permit (an EUP) for the 2019 growing season.
BL: what does this mean for growers?
AW: Upon EPA granting the EUP, organic apple growers in Washington will have an opportunity to use ReTain OL to prevent apple drop and help with harvest management.
BL: How can WA apple growers sign up?
AW: To sign up, please give your local Valent sales rep a call!
BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I'm Bob Larson.
