NPC leaders hopeful USDA will add better COVID aid for specialty crop industry

The National Potato Council held its 2020 summer meetings June 25 through a virtual Zoom format.

The annual event, which normally takes place in the home state of the current NPC president, was scheduled to take place in Boise, Idaho, but was changed to the virtual platform due to COVID-19 concerns.

Spudman magazine editor Zeke Jennings sat through the individual committee meetings and provided ongoing updates via Twitter.

RELATED: National Potato Council talk trade on China, Japan, Mexico

Some highlights from Legislative and Governmental Affairs committee discussion included insight on additional USDA aid due to COVID-19 problems and other regulatory issues. NPC staff, members and outside regulatory experts are hopeful the USDA will come through with a better COVID aid package for the specialty crop industry. They also chimed in on when the Senate might act on the next COVID stimulus bill.

COVID-19 and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

“Less than 2% of overall CFAP payments have gone to fruits and vegetables. … This has been a huge problem.” — RJ Andrus, @ThisSpudsForYou VP of Legislative and Governmental Affairs

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

.@ThisSpudsForYou CEO Kam Quarles says The USDA’s first attempt on a COVID-19 payment package has “not delivered for the specialty crop” industry and certainly not for potatoes.

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

.@ThisSpudsForYou CEO Kam Quarles remains “an optimist” that #USDA will step up its COVID relief efforts for specialty crop & #potatoes growers. If it doesn’t Congress will need to address situation.

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

.@ThisSpudsForYou President @britter on the next COVID stimulus package timeline: “We’re in an election year and everybody is watching the calendar. … If they’re (Congress) going to do a package, it likely will come through before their August recess.”

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

Randy Russell of The @RussellGroupDC on Senate COVID relief bill: “We think probably that last week of July when they can get it done. No serious negotiations have started. … The final bill (that goes to president) will look at lot closer to Senate bill than House bill.”

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

Non-COVID regulatory comments

.@ThisSpudsForYou looking at updating list of used pesticides, creation of network of potato industry reps and scientific community workgroups to better coordinate with EPA.

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

Ed Ruckert says bee pollination numbers falling could be used as a means to readdress way pesticides are regulated by federal government, says industry should keep an eye on the situation.

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

School meal programs and national dietary guidelines remain big focus for @ThisSpudsForYou, @Potatoes_USA. Dietary guidelines affect how school meal program and WIC are administered.

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

Ag labor reform has taken a backseat since the start of COVID and following the passage of the House’s Farm Workforce Modernization Act. @ThisSpudsForYou still pushing for Senate to act. @KamQuarles says ag must present a united solution to lawmakers, not conflicting ones.

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020

NPC environmental expert Ed Ruckert said there have been plenty of lawsuits filed at district courts around the country regarding Waters of the US act, expects litigation to be ongoing for quite some time.

— Spudman Magazine (@SpudmanMag) June 25, 2020