Country Life Wednesday, December 11, 2019 • lyndentribune.com • ferndalerecord.com
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Raspberry growers weigh a trade action D.C. law firm will get at least $600,000 to look into claims of Mexican ‘dumping’ in U.S. market By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com
LYNDEN — A hefty $600,000 will be spent by Washington raspberry growers to lay the basis for possible trade-violation claims against Mexico, and the cost could be three times that over three years to follow through with action. Next year’s outlay is in an overall proposed budget of just over $1.3 million for the Lynden-based Washington Red Raspberry Commission, and about $420,000 will be used to continue to promote frozen processed raspberries in the American market. The annual meetings of both the state raspberry and blueberry commissions were held on the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds last week as part of the 2019 Small Fruit Conference and Lynden Ag Show. It’s all a chance to catch up on the latest in the small fruit realm, from dollars and research to equipment and pesticide credits. “The board has started that process against Mexico dumping in our markets,” WRRC strategic planning member Brad Rader told attendees at the conference opening session on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Protection of the industry was also needed back in the 1980s and ‘90s, Rader said, and it’s time again to tap into the expertise of a Washington, D.C., law firm versed in the intricacies of international trade. Attorney Steve Orava, of the firm King & Spalding, on screen live from D.C., said the Trump administration wants to help American manufacturing and agriculture, and so now is a good time to take advantage of the opportunity “to find the appropriate path forward for your industry.” Orava said he is open to hearing about and analyzing all dynamics seen in the processed frozen raspberry market right
Darryl Ehlers, Halverstick Road berry grower for more than 60 years, speaks after receiving the Washington Red Raspberry Commission’s Industry Service Award at the Small Fruit Conference Dec. 2. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) now — competition, packaging, impacts the United States. In international trade, on prices and directly on the Northwest dumping means that a country or compagrowers. It was suggested that across-the- ny exports a product at a price that is lower border British Columbia growers be kept in the foreign importing market than the price in the exporter’s domestic market. in the loop too. Everyone is encouraged to communi- Year 2019 also brought about the decate their situation, and what they observe, mise of the 6-year-old National Processed to commission board leaders or to King & Raspberry Council — by a vote of member growers and importers — and so that Spalding. A 15-mile radius around Lynden leaves the Washington State producers would take in probably 90 percent of the themselves to essentially do their own red raspberry growing operations (for marketing and pick their own battles to frozen pack, not fresh market) of the two fight, but they can do it now with distinct Washington Red Raspberries branding. countries. The climate is suitable. But for about four years Whatcom Treasurer Joan Yoder presented the County growers have eyed what they be- WRRC budget for 2020, up from $841,445 lieve is illegal “dumping” of product into this year. She noted that the assessment on
the 2019 crop is 2 cents per pound of berries, which equals the total of the national and state amounts before — “it’s not going up any.” Henry Bierlink, WRRC executive director, acknowledged that the step out with King & Spalding is “a huge commitment,” and the nine-member board of directors will decide in early 2020 whether to take it a step farther beyond the data-gathering phase now. He urged all members to stay attentive to what is happening and give their input, including on the budget, which will be acted on in January. “Talk to us. We want to hear your concerns.” • Wild Hive is the Texas-based company headed by Allison Beadle that has transitioned from working with the national council to now working in marketing with the state commission. Beadle and two associates recapped what they see as opportunities and challenges ahead. “We’re now exclusively focused on what you all are bringing to the market,” Beadle said. She has ideas for advocacy to food buyers and food service trade media, for health and nutrition research, and for more pursuit of school sales. Beadle told the growers sitting in front of her, “You have a phenomenal story to tell” — involving diverse and multi-generational families growing berries efficiently in the Lynden area as a community tradition. “We are happy to be promoting this.” One increased effort will be harvest tours with selected groups, “showing them first-hand up here what you’re doing,” she said, with a ride on a mechanical harvester often being a really big deal for these visitors. • Lifetime Halverstick Road grower Darryl Ehlers was honored with the third annual WRRC Industry Service Award, after Lyle Rader and Curt Maberry received it, posthumously, the past two years. A video was shown of Darryl walking about his premises, telling a little history and giving his homespun farmer philosophy. He has been at it for more than 60 years. He spoke of borrowing a tractor to plant his first crop of berries, of having See Raspberries on A9