Japan takes spuds but not Idaho's

Japan's refusal to take Idaho chipping potatoes in recently reopened trade is frustrating the majority of Idaho growers who do not have the potato cyst nematode. That may not mean much to the Japanese, who are notoriously tough on imports.
From Capital Press:


The Idaho State Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture have tested more than 35,000 soil samples since last spring when the nematode was first discovered.The pest has been found in just seven fields comprising less than 1,000 acres near Shelley, Idaho."Some other states have done some testing, but I don't think it's anywhere near what we've done," said Michael Cooper, ISDA's plant industries bureau chief.


TK: The fallout from the discovery of the potato cyst nematode continues, though reopened chipping potato sales to Japan from Washington, Oregon, California and other potato states not named Idaho will help all potato growers. Meanwhile, one southeast Idaho grower is ready to sue the state over what he said was public disclosure that the potato cyst nematode was found on his ranch.