b'TradeIsEssentialAndAchievableFor The Potato Industryby Kam Quarles, NPC Executive Vice President and CEOOf all the issues we focus on, trade is to Japan a top priority.If they get itcurrentlyoneofthemostvolatile right, this market annually could beandholdsthemostpotentialfor $100 million or more in just a fewmovement in the short term.Trade short years.negotiationsarehappeninginmajor markets for our industry, so Mexicoitsusefultospendsometime In Mexico, full access to their freshexplaining what were pushing for. markethasbeenblockedbylegalaction that has made it all the wayJapan to the Mexican Supreme Court.WeJapan is our largest export market, believethatthecourtwillrulebydespiteitbeingentirelyclosedto this December.If that ruling is con-U.S. fresh table stock potatoes.The sistentwithMexicosWTOobliga-NPCU.S. potato industry asked for access tions, the process of fully openingto this market over two decades ago, theirmarkettoU.S.tablestockbut no movement has taken place potatoes will begin. due to political issues within Japan.MessageThink of this.There are new staff To ensure that access is meaningful,members on Capitol Hill, at USDA, theU.S.governmentwillneedtoUSTRandtheWhiteHousewho keepthepressureontoprovidewerenotbornwhenthisrequest technicaldocumentsinatimelywasmadeandnomovementhas mannerandaprocessthatallowsoccurred during their lifetimes. ourexportstoflowefficiently.Much like Japan, U.S. fresh potatoWe believe it is time for action.New access to Mexico could be over $100tradenegotiationswithJapanpro- million annually it its done right.videauniqueopportunityandleveragetomoveforwardonan Chinaagreement that benefits U.S. potato ChinaisoneveryonesmindsasproducersandtheJapanesecon- these trade disputes are in the news.sumer.So, weve asked our negotia- Webelievethatastrongmarkettors to make fresh table stock access access agreement for U.S. chip pota-8 POTATO GROWER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019'