Washington Ag Today August 31, 2010 A plan for establishing an international agricultural fair that will promote the latest advancements in the industry as well as agriculture across the state of Washington, will be unveiled during a legislative hearing this Thursday in Yakima. The Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations will learn about a new ”Agricultural Fair of the Americas” proposal for the Central Washington Fairgrounds.

State Senator Curtis King, a Yakima Republican, says the fair would build on the state’s reputation as a leader in agricultural production, science and technology. It would call together experts from around the world on a regular basis to address challenges facing all aspects of the industry, not only central to the Yakima Valley but also those of other parts of the state including fisheries and forestry.

The legislative committee meeting where the fair plan will be discussed starts at nine a.m. this Thursday in the State Fair Room of the Yakima Valley Sun Dome.

The USDA has now moved beyond just educating retailers about country of origin labeling and has begun compliance enforcement of the COOL law. Undersecretary Ed Avalos recently told a Congressional hearing that USDA feels like it is doing a pretty good job.

Avalos: “Our contractors, our cooperative agreements with the states are doing a good job of enforcing the COOL regulation. Ninety-six percent of the items are being properly labeled.”

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.

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