The National Potato Council (NPC) hosted the 2017 Potato D.C. Fly-In Feb. 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 the 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.
Before attendees took their messages to the Capitol, they heard from representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA), in addition to renowned political analysts Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia Center for Politics and Charlie Cook, publisher of The Cook Political Report.
Industry experts on taxes, GMO disclosure and the Food Safety Modernization Act also addressed the general sessions. Senior Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committee staff spoke 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 the EPA to discuss organophosphates and registration reviews and to the USDA to hear from agency officials concerning trade issues.
“Lawmakers and regulators sincerely appreciate the personal stories that Fly-In participants provided about the on-farm impact of federal policies,” says NPC executive vice president and CEO John Keeling. “The impact of potato producers carrying those messages directly to policymakers is substantial and can yield a big return on investment.”
The NPC also hosted a reception on Feb. 15 in coordination with United Fresh Produce Association in the House Agriculture Committee hearing room, attended by members of Congress and congressional staff. For photos of the Fly-In and other industry events, please visit the NPC’s Facebook page.