Fairbanks, Alaska - Alaska-grown potatoes will be on the table for discussion during next week's round of trade talks between U.S. and China, thanks in part to efforts by Jenifer Huang McBeath, a plant pathologist from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
Trade representatives will meet in Fairbanks July 24-27 for the latest in bilateral discussions, covering a wide range of agricultural issues aimed at eliminating phytosanitary barriers to agricultural exports and imports in both countries. While in Fairbanks, delegates will review research facilities at UAF and farms in Delta Junction in consideration of opening a new market for Alaska-grown seed and tablestock potatoes to China.
During the past several years McBeath has worked in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alaska Division of Agriculture and Division of International Trade and Market Development to research and document the high quality of Alaska-grown potatoes and their economic viability in overseas markets.
Seed potatoes, known as the genetic super tubers of the potato market, are used by farmers and growers to produce crops in home gardens and commercial fields. The highly desired, fungus-free and virus-free starter spuds produce tasty and healthy tablestock in local grocery stores and dinner plates at home.
The Alaska Division of Agriculture currently inspects and certifies seed potatoes, among other agricultural products, for domestic markets. UAF researchers have developed an export certification program- based of field sampling and lab testing methods- to ensure potatoes are free of certain viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
"By purchasing Alaskan seed potatoes certified through the export certification program at UAF, foreign farmers can expect a high level of crop quality- a product guarantee that has been a big draw for outside markets towards Alaskan agriculture," McBeath said. "By coming to Alaska, the delegates can see first-hand the state's remoteness and the pristine state of our environmental conditions as compared to the Lower 48 agriculture system."
That's why, she added, Alaska can produce such high quality potatoes.
Most potato contamination comes from insects or pathogens in soil particles, plant debris or carried on the wind. But many factors, like the geographical isolation of the state and the inhospitable environment for immigrant insects, free Alaskan potatoes from most diseases and insects that plague crops in the continental U.S.
Potatoes have played a part of campus life at UAF even before there was an actual campus. For centuries the hill on which the university now sits was known as Troth Yeddha, or "place where the wild potatoes grow," to Athabascan Indians. Not many potatoes still grow on the campus, but spud samples are scooped up from sites across the state by McBeath's research crew, who bring them back to UAF's Arctic Health Research Building for testing.
Delegation members will be able to see testing methods during a tour of McBeath's laboratory on Tuesday, July 25. Delegates will then travel to Delta Junction to visit with area growers before returning to a welcome dinner at the UA Museum.
By demonstrating the advantages to disease-free seed potatoes grown in Alaska, state officials hope to repeat previous success opening pan-Pacific market exchange for Alaska agriculture products.
Several years ago, McBeath helped gain phytosanitary clearance for Alaska seed potatoes and tablestock potatoes to be exported to Taiwanese markets, using her cultural background and fluency in Chinese language and customs. The clearance paved the way to ship the vegetables overseas to Taiwan, with arrangements made by Alaska Division of International Trade and Market Development trade representative Ida Yao.
McBeath's plant disease research, which spans 23 years at UAF, played a key role in the Taiwanese government's decision to accept seed potatoes imported from Alaska-the only source in the world allowed to export seed potatoes into that country.
CONTACT: Plant Pathologist Jenifer McBeath at 907-474-7431.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Reporters and photographers are invited to accompany the delegates on a tour of McBeath's research lab on Tuesday, July 25. For more information, call Jillian Swope, UAF University Relations, at 907-474-7778.