Port Issues & Opposing the Keystone Pipeline

Port Issues & Opposing the Keystone Pipeline

Port Issues & Opposing the Keystone Pipeline plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

It has been a good harvest but continued tension between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association is causing a lot of backup when it comes to shipping apples and other commodities overseas. Shelly Boshart is a farmer, trucker and international shipper of ag products.

BOSHART: We worked very hard to get our product in during harvest just like every other farmer and rancher. We know what our capabilities are but it's the things we can't control that are just so scary and all of a sudden when I say my product needs to be delivered December 12 in say Hakata, Japan and all of a sudden I can's say that because I don't even know if it's on the ship right now.

Congressional leaders from all West Coast states have been putting pressure on the two groups to settle the issue.

Even though the proposed Phase 4 of the Keystone XL Pipeline will not cross any of the Pacific Northwest states Washington Senator Patty Murray is speaking out on the issue. In remarks given yesterday from the Senate floor Murray said, quote: "I will oppose this legislation, and I will continue to oppose any effort in Congress that ignores or brushes aside the environmental consequences of our actions. For far too long, we've put short-term interests ahead of our environment and long-term realities. That has to stop."

Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.

Idaho based J.R. Simplot Co.'s new genetically modified potato has been approved by the USDA, but that doesn't mean squat to one of that company's oldest customers - McDonald's. McDonald's will sell high, calorie, high fat, high sodium, high sugar ladened foods at its stores, but when it comes to a genetically modified potato; then they draw the line? DNA alterations to the "Innate" potato were done so it produces less acrylamide, which is suspected to be a human carcinogen; it also resists bruising. McDonald's has not taken this stance on gmo potatoes because they are concerned about the health properties of gmo foods; they've done it because of the PR hit they would take if they didn't, because the general consumer knows what a gmo vegetable is; they just don't know or understand how it's produced. Interesting note, the "Innate" potato's DNA is still 100% potato, containing genes from wild and cultivated potatoes. Still not sure? Then go to simplotplantsciences.com to find out how "these potatoes pose no environmental risk, create no harm to other species, and grow just like conventional potatoes...". Don't be frightened, be informed.

Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.

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