- Idaho Pursues Eco-Label
Potato Growers of Idaho resolve to pursue an eco-label
By Mark Mendiola
Western Correspondent
PGI was awarded the IPM grant by the EPA as part of a program to reduce levels of certain chemicals used in Pacific Northwest agriculture, including fumigants applied on Idaho spud fields. The resolution was approved at the association’s annual summer conference in Jackpot, Nev.
The resolution acknowledges that the state’s potato industry is facing increasing competition and identifies as a potential market a product that serves consumer environmental values. The group agreed to develop a comprehensive IPM approach to potato production that may be governed by a third party and include “environmentally-conscious” labeling for Idaho spuds.
Endorsing the adding of value to raw products and natural resources, Pat Takasugi, director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), said his department is doing third party certification for onions and fruit grown in the state.
“This is one way we can have a product that pays better,” he said. “If we, as an industry or as a state, don’t do something, we won’t be able to compete with low-cost producers.”
Carolyn Brickey, an attorney and consultant who is executive director of Protected Harvest, a California-based non-profit organization, explained how it certifies the use of environmentally, economically sustainable agriculture practices through developing stringent standards, incentive-based eco-labeling and public education.
Protected Harvest has certified Wisconsin potatoes under that state’s “Healthy Grown” program. It evolved from collaboration of the World Wildlife Fund, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association and the University of Wisconsin.
Healthy Grown potatoes from Wisconsin were the first Protected Harvest-certified crop to be marketed. Between 1995 and 1997, Wisconsin farmers reduced the toxicity units associated with 11 high-risk pesticides by 25%. By 1999, they cut their toxicity units by 37%.
Protected Harvest’s production standards are divided into nine management areas: scouting, information sources, field management, general pest management, weed management, insect management, disease management, soil and water quality and crop storage.
Growers are required to implement bio-intensive IPM practices to accumulate points needed for certification. Pesticide use is minimized because farmers cannot exceed a set number of toxicity units established for their crop. Those units are based on measuring active ingredients of pesticides compared on a pound-for-pound basis.
“Grocery chains are going to tell us what the standards will be,” Brickey told the PGI members. “Consumers do care about food safety and water quality.”
“Going green” provides real, significant ecological impacts and good science for food standards, Brickey said. Independent third-party certification is essential to ensure its success. It’s also a way to take advantage of government and university expertise, she said.
While Protected Harvest certifies only potatoes now, it wants to develop standards for “a sweep of products,” Brickey said, stressing that the products are not organic.
PGI Executive Director Keith Esplin said the Wisconsin standards don’t exactly fit Idaho, and some pesticides will not be allowed for use under the program.
Idaho growers are confident they can develop a program with the $50,000 EPA grant, Esplin said, adding it’s better to lead than be compelled.
Idaho’s advantages include lower use of pesticides, less pesticide resistance, a drier climate less conducive to blight, fewer insects and diseases, a mandatory seed law and mandatory inspection, Esplin said. PGI next must apply for market development funding, develop IPM standards and research marketing viability.
Keith Frank, PGI’s public affairs director, said the third party certification of ecological levels won’t be successful unless the Idaho Potato Commission and shippers get behind it.
Frank later said that Protected Harvest is only one of the possible certifying organizations that could be a possible choice for PGI. “There are many others, including ISDA, that could perform the same function that Protected Harvest offers,” he said.
