Labor, trade, government changes discussed during Potato Expo
A panel of ag leaders and industry experts discussed farm labor, trade, federal government changes and further COVID-19 aid during Potato Expo 2021.
That’s going to mean a pivot for potato and other agricultural industry leaders and advocates in terms of farm labor, trade, crop protection regulation, additional COVID-19 aid and other policymaking issues. Updates and insight on those topics were offered during a 90-minute Potato Expo panel discussion, titled “Political Landscape, Policy and Trade, which took place Jan. 7 during the virtual event. It featured National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association President Michael Joyner, Western Growers Association President & CEO Dave Puglia, United Fresh Produce Association President & CEO Tom Stenzel, AmericanHort Senior VP Craig Regelbrugge and Bryant Christie VP of Global Access Matt Lantz, a longtime potato industry trade collaborator.
Spudman covered the discussion via Twitter. Here are some highlights. An on-demand replay of the discussion is available for Potato Expo attendees through March 31.
The Farmers to Families Food Box program is delivering more produce to families in need than anything the industry has ever done, said Tom Stenzel of the @UnitedFresh during @POTATOEXPO
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
The produce sector needs more assistance with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), which has not come from the federal government, says Dave Puglia of @WesternGrowers. Tom Stenzel of @UnitedFresh still hopeful for federal aid in that department. @POTATOEXPO
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
There are 22 or 23 associations that will talk about priorities (i.e. insurance, nutrition, direct payment) when starting to focus on the next Farm Bill. We need to get perspectives from around the country and different ag industry, says Tom Stenzeal of @UnitedFresh @POTATOEXPO
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
We will have to address crop protection tools and alternatives coupled with how easily the alternatives can be implemented by food producers moving forward, said Dave Puglia of @WesternGrowers during @POTATOEXPO
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
We have #agriculture worker shortages, so we need better visa options. … We need the labor supply reforms to be able to survive the employer responsibilities, said Craig Regelbrugge of @American_Hort during @POTATOEXPO pic.twitter.com/hU7CyfOlQF
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
Regelbrugge @American_Hort: In order to pass bipartisan ag labor reform, the problem is the middle has largely fallen out of our politics. We need to find enough people to come together in the middle. But we demonstrated that we can find it, as we did in 2019-2020. #potatoexpo pic.twitter.com/0Yb2p0FxpI
— Potato Expo (@POTATOEXPO) January 7, 2021
Our potato exports to Mexico have really taken off since tariffs have been removed, said Matt Lantz of Bryant Christie Inc. during @POTATOEXPO pic.twitter.com/CC7akTRjH5
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
Re: Fresh U.S. potato access to Mexico struggle still ongoing. @KamQuarles said hope is that Mexican Supreme Court will rule on the situation within the next month or so during @POTATOEXPO. It’s a major case with implications beyond just potatoes. pic.twitter.com/ss3LxjYFhU
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
Frozen fry tariffs will go to zero for US fry processors to Japan on April 1. Japan is the US’s largest importer of frozen fries ($300 million), said Matt Lantz during @POTATOEXPO
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
US fresh potato access to Japan is a major priority, said Matt Lantz during @POTATOEXPO. … China remains a complicated situation because of all the moving parts and other trade issues outside the potato industry.
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
Democrats and Republicans agree that the way the US dealt with trade with China prior to Trump administration should not be restored, said Matt Lantz during @POTATOEXPO. He adds Biden admin likely won’t be as “aggressive” and more “nuanced.”
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
A seed potato agreement was reached with China last year, which was 20 years in the making. Actually shipping to China has proven difficult so far, said Matt Lantz to @POTATOEXPO .
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021
Now that Brexit is done, UK is looking for trade agreements. The potato industry would be looking at free access and compromises on MRLs in any such US-UK trade deal, said Matt Lantz during @POTATOEXPO. Biden has said trade deals will not be a priority until COVID under ctrl
— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) January 7, 2021