Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse is calling on the USDA to consider open market access for fresh potatoes during trade negotiations.  In a letter sent last week, Newhouse asked the USDA and Sonny Perdue to “pursue full market access for U.S. fresh table stock potatoes to Japan” as work continues on the U.S.-Japan Free Trade agreement.

 

Washington is the second largest producer of potatoes in the United States.

  • Potatoes are Washington’s 4th largest commodity, generating $687 million in 2017.
  • Potatoes are produced in 10 Washington counties, including Grant, Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Adams, and parts of Walla Walla, which are part of Newhouse’s Congressional District.

 

Click Here to read the letter Newhouse sent to Secretary Perdue.

 

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