Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1195707
30 POTATO GROWER | JANUARY 2020 12. CHALLENGES TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE The use of phytosanitary and technical barriers to trade by competitors are likely to increase as global tariffs are reduced, Wenkel says. The European Union's use of the "precautionary principle" in restricting or eliminating crop protection tools, combined with their interest in pushing other export markets to utilize that extreme philosophy, will continue to impact global disease management, establishment of responsible maximum residue limits (MRLs), and trade in general. The industry can also expect a lot of work to eliminate tariffs in key global markets. 13. PROMOTION OF POTATOES' DIETARY VALUE Consumers' growing interest in food production will require the industry to promote positive dietary aspects of potatoes. Wenkel expects the 2020 Dietary Guidelines, trendy diets and sustainability-focused efforts to each require science-based data to accurately educate consumers about potatoes' contribution to a healthy lifestyle. 14. PUBLIC REASSESSMENT OF CARBOHYDRATES There is already a growing recognition that people do, in fact, people need carbs in their diet. "The Whole 30 diet has added white potatoes to its approved list, and the Weight Watchers Purple track embraces potatoes," says Potatoes USA's Toaspern. "Challenges will, however, remain for potatoes as consumers weigh factors such as glycemic index scores in the battle of good carbs vs. bad carbs." 15. CHANGES AT RETAIL Erena Connon, assistant global marketing manager at Potatoes USA, says that "sustainability" will remain a buzzword for the foreseeable future, and retailers will begin demanding that plastic packaging be replaced with paper or other "sustainable" materials. "Specialized potato products should continue to proliferate as food companies cater to busy, health- conscious consumers with products such as pre-cooked, pre-seasoned and microwaveable potatoes," she says. 16. MORE ATTENTION PAID TO DISEASE AT PLANTING AND IN STORAGE While disease scouting and management in the field, research dollars are likely to increasingly be spent looking at the beginning and end of potatoes' time with the grower. A prime example is a research project currently being undertaken by the University of Idaho's Kasia Duellman, Phill Wharton and James Woodhall to combat Fusarium dry rot via handling practices, cultivar decisions and fungicide resistance management. 17. THE NEED FOR PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS "The University of Idaho's spore trapping network gives growers a heads-up if certain airborne pathogens are detected, leading to proactive rather than reactive disease management," says Duellman. "It's a great model for an effective industry-university-grower partnership." This sort of cooperation will be paramount if the industry hopes to keep pace with ever-evolving retail and regulatory environments.