Japan opens border to U.S. fresh potato imports

Japan opens border to U.S. fresh potato imports    Japan has agreed to lift a decades-old ban on imports of fresh potatoes from the United States.
   Japan is already the largest U.S. export market for frozen potatoes, with purchases of more than $164 million in 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
   The new agreement will apply to potatoes shipped between February and June. They will be used to make potato chips.
   Japan banned fresh potato imports from the United States in 1950 due to phytosanitary concerns related to the potato wart bacteria and the cyst nematode. The decision to lift the import ban follows a notice from the United States that it has eliminated the potato wart bacteria and has contained the cyst nematode to a limited area.
   After sending experts to the United States last summer for inspections, Japan has authorized potato imports from 14 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. Japan must still finish inspections of potato handling facilities before shipments can actually begin.
   “Exports during the first year may be limited until additional Japanese processors are approved to import U.S. potatoes,” USDA said. “USDA and the U.S. potato industry will work to expand the number of U.S. approved facilities and the number of states allowed to ship to Japan.”