Potatoes to Japan

The U.S. can ship fresh potatoes to Japan again. This report details conditions of the reopened trade. One of those conditions is that Idaho is excluded.
From Seattlepi.com:

The microscopic worm, called the potato cyst nematode, feeds at the roots of potato plants and can reduce crop production by 80 percent. Officials say the pest is not harmful to humans and doesn't have any effect on the potatoes themselves.
On top of the current requirements - to brush off brush or wash off all dirt from U.S. potatoes before being exported to Japan, send them in sealed containers, and limit their use to processed potato chip snacks, Japan decided Wednesday it will allow imports of U.S. potatoes if the four new conditions will be taken by the U.S. side, the Agriculture Ministry said on its Web site.
The four conditions will be: to exclude Idaho from a list of export permissible states, to thoroughly check soil to confirm it is free from pest, the Ministry said. Potatoes will be produced other than those of seed tubers of Idaho used - a step taken until its efficiency of washing for Idaho-made potatoes is confirmed.

Tk: This is good news, though past dealings with Japan suggest they won't be too active with fresh potato imports.