Home>Articles by: Mark Szymanski

Author: Mark Szymanski

Senate Passes NPC-backed Climate Bill

On Thursday, June 24, the Senate passed the S. 1251, the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA), by a vote of 92-8. The bipartisan legislation reduces technical entry barriers for producers and forest owners interested in participating in voluntary carbon markets.

On Thursday, June 24, the Senate passed the S. 1251, the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA), by a vote of 92-8. The bipartisan legislation reduces technical entry barriers for producers and forest owners interested in participating in voluntary carbon markets.

Upcoming Vilsack-Villalobos Meeting to Include Potato Discussion

Mexican Agriculture Secretary Víctor Villalobos Arámbula is expected to travel to Washington, D.C. in early August to meet with his American counterpart, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The meeting is expected to include a discussion of the decades-long issue concerning Mexico’s ban on the full importation of fresh U.S. potatoes.

Mexican Agriculture Secretary Víctor Villalobos Arámbula is expected to travel to Washington, D.C. in early August to meet with his American counterpart, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The meeting is expected to include a discussion of the decades-long issue concerning Mexico’s ban on the full importation of fresh U.S. potatoes.

National Potato Council Statement on Efforts to Jumpstart Senate Talks on Agriculture Labor Reform

The National Potato Council (NPC) today participated in an agriculture industry roundtable discussion with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in an effort to find bipartisan support for legislation that would improve upon the House-passed Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

The National Potato Council (NPC) today participated in an agriculture industry roundtable discussion with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in an effort to find bipartisan support for legislation that would improve upon the House-passed Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

Nearly 300 Agriculture Groups Urge Senate Action on Ag Labor Reform

Yesterday, 288 agricultural organizations representing the geographic and commodity diversity of our nation’s farmers urged immediate Senate action to develop and pass legislation addressing agricultural labor reform.

Yesterday, 288 agricultural organizations representing the geographic and commodity diversity of our nation’s farmers urged immediate Senate action to develop and pass legislation addressing agricultural labor reform.

U.S. Potato Industry Celebrates Mexico’s Supreme Court Decision Overturning Decades-long Ban on Fresh U.S. Potato Imports

On April 28, 2021, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled by a unanimous vote of five to zero in favor of overturning a 2017 lower court decision that prevented the Mexican federal government from implementing regulations to allow for the importation of fresh U.S. potatoes throughout the country. The ruling, cheered by the National Potato Council and Potatoes USA, marks the end of a decade-long legal process that began when Mexico’s potato industry sued its government to prevent competition from imports.

On April 28, 2021, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled by a unanimous vote of five to zero in favor of overturning a 2017 lower court decision that prevented the Mexican federal government from implementing regulations to allow for the importation of fresh U.S. potatoes throughout the country. The ruling, cheered by the National Potato Council and Potatoes USA, marks the end of a decade-long legal process that began when Mexico’s potato industry sued its government to prevent competition from imports.

NPC, Agriculture Industry Groups Raise Alarm on U.S.-Mexico Trade Relationship

Today, the National Potato Council and 26 leading food and agriculture associations sent a letter communicating growing concerns over the rapid deterioration of the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship to Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Today, the National Potato Council and 26 leading food and agriculture associations sent a letter communicating growing concerns over the rapid deterioration of the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship to Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

National Potato Council Cheers Bipartisan House Passage of Farm Workforce Modernization Act

NPC welcomed the bipartisan 247-174 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

NPC welcomed the bipartisan 247-174 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

NPC Launches 2021 Grower Supporter Campaign

Amplify the potato industry’s voice on Capitol Hill and join the 2021 Grower Supporter campaign by texting “POTATO” TO 41444.

Amplify the potato industry’s voice on Capitol Hill and join the 2021 Grower Supporter campaign by texting “POTATO” TO 41444.

National Potato Council Applauds Reintroduction of Farm Workforce Modernization Act

NPC welcomed yesterday’s reintroduction of the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and urges its rapid passage in the House of Representatives.

NPC welcomed yesterday’s reintroduction of the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and urges its rapid passage in the House of Representatives.

Growers Virtually Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill

The National Potato Council hosted the virtual 2021 Potato D.C. Fly-In, Feb. 24-27, which brought the industry together to fulfill the council’s mission to “Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill.”

The National Potato Council hosted the virtual 2021 Potato D.C. Fly-In, Feb. 24-27, which brought the industry together to fulfill the council’s mission to “Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill.”