US: Growers stand up for potatoes on Capitol Hill

The National Potato Council hosted the 2017 Potato D.C. Fly-In from February 13-16, bringing together more than 150 U.S. potato growers and industry partners from across the country to advocate 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 and international trade policy (follow links for details on actions requested). Before attendees took their messages to the Hill, they heard from Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA), in addition to renowned political analysts Dr. Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia Center for Politics and Charlie Cook, publisher of The Cook Political Report. Industry experts on tax, GMO disclosure and the Food Safety Modernization Act also addressed the general sessions. More