The National Potato Council (NPC) hosted the 2017 Potato D.C. Fly-In this week, where more than 150 U.S. potato growers and industry partners from across the country advocated for the industry’s most pressing federal policy priorities. Growers visited Capitol Hill and met with federal regulators at USDA and EPA. During their Hill visits, growers urged Congress to address key industry issues including: immigration reform, potato breeding research funding, regulatory reform, international trade policy and pesticide regulations.
Representatives DelBene (D-WA) and Newhouse (R-WA) spoke to attendees during the week in addition to political analysts Dr. Larry Sabato and Charlie Cook. Industry experts on tax, GMO disclosure and FSMA also addressed the general sessions. They were followed by senior Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committee staff who focused on the 2018 Farm Bill and key spending issues that may affect the potato industry this year. The week concluded with growers making visits to EPA and USDA to hear from agency officials. View photos from the week on the Facebook page.
