b'Virtually Advocating For A Brighter Future At The 2021 Potato D.C. Fly-In by Kam Quarles, NPC Executive Vice President and CEOEach year, growers and industry part- Helpaggressivelypursuetradeners from around the country come opportunitiesinMexico,China,togetherinournationscapitalto Japan, and remaining TPP countriesmake a difference on issues impacting With 20 percent of all potatoes grownthe potato industry. While this years in the United States destined for for-Potato D.C. Fly-In broke tradition by eignmarkets,growerscalledonbeing held virtually, it still served to CongressandtheBidenprovidetheindustryaninvaluable Administrationtocontinuetopressplatform for talking directly with pol- for free trade and open market accessicymakers about how rules and regu- agreementstoensurethecontinuedlationsbeingconsideredin growth of the industry. Washington, D.C. affects family farmsand the potato supply chain.Additional trade issues advocated forincluded: NPCAttendeesthisFebruaryhadtheopportunitytoheardirectlyfromThe U.S. potato industry must gainindustrychampionsSenatorSusan full access to Mexico for fresh pota-Collins(R-Maine)andSenatorJim toes before any reciprocal concessionsMessageRisch(R-Idaho),aswellaskeystaff areofferedtoMexicofortheirfruitmembers from the Senate Agriculture and vegetable imports like avocados.CommitteeJacqlynSchneider,DeputyStaffDirectorandPolicyThe U.S. and China should seek toDirector,andMarthaScott concludeaworkablemarketaccessPoindexter, Republican Staff Director. agreement for U.S. chipping potatoesas specified in the Phase 1 agreementItalsobroughttogetherarecord- announced in January 2020.breaking161growersandindustrypartners who joined their state potato Restoretariffbenefitsforpotatoesorganizationstovisitwith46 lost under the TPP withdrawal.MembersofCongresstocommuni-catetheindustryspolicypriorities. TheU.S.shouldconsiderusingBelow are the four issues growers took countermeasuresagainstCOVID-totheirelectedrepresentativesseek- induced surges in European Union frying assistance.imports.10 POTATO GROWER APRIL 2021'