Onion session yields few results
Growers debate several key issues at Thursday session
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Sunday, August 24, 2008 2:02 AM PDT
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| Larry Meyer | Argus Observer
Brian Kameshigi (driving tractor) watches onions move onto a truck as the vehicles stop at the end of a field. One of the first growers to start harvesting, Kameshigi said shippers are calling for onions, and his onions were ready. Protecting their crop while trying to expand their market share is a key goal for many area onion producers. |
ONTARIO—A meeting of onion growers, packers and processors Thursday night produced a split decision on one issue while another subject failed to gain a firm consensus.
Growers, packers and processors were on hand for the session to ponder two issues: whether to set up committees to review administrative rules regarding an onion white rot control area and an onion maggot control area in the county.
The idea to set up a committee to work on the onion maggot control area secured wide support from the group. However, the vote on the white rot rules was too close — 17 “yes” votes to 15 “no” votes — that Oregon Department of Agriculture Administrator, commodity Inspection division, Jim Cramer said he did not have a consensus. Ironically, it was a request to amend the white rot rules that sparked Cramer to schedule the meeting.
Cramer, who held the session in lieu of regular industry meetings, said he would not establish a committee on the white rot rules unless he obtained greater consensus from growers and shippers in support of the proposal.
At issue with the white rot rules is a petition signed by nine individuals in the onion industry from Ontario, Payette, Fruitland and Weiser to change what is known as the Onion Marketing Order of Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho.
The change to the onion white rot control order would allow onion transplants to be brought into the local area to be grown for mid-summer harvest and sale.
Imports of bulbs, sets or seedlings of onion, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots are banned except those produced in Idaho counties covered by the Idaho rules governing white rot, a rule which has been in place since 1977.
Critics of the proposal, though, worry a change in the marketing order could open up Pandora’s box regarding white rot, an especially virulent onion malady.
White rot is very destructive and, once it is in the soil, difficult to eradicate. Some question the wisdom of importing onion transplants that could already be infected or create the conditions for an outbreak of white rot.
In addition to wanting bring in onion transplants, other growers were concerned about onions being imported from areas which are not white rot free, and thought if anything, the rules need to be made tighter to deal with that issue.
Noble Morinaka Jr., a Nyssa area farmer, recounted how a field in Idaho was found to have white rot, and it was quarantined. The field was fenced, and no one was allowed in it, and water was not allowed to run out of it, he said.
“It’s a nasty, nasty stuff,” he said and suggested an expert be brought in to explain the ramifications of white rot.
Kay Riley, Nyssa packer, said not having transplants puts him at a competitive disadvantage to shippers in other states.
“It would be worthwhile,” he said, to have a review of the rules.
Cramer explained how onion transplants produced in Arizona are tested for white rot, and are tested again and again, and white rot has not been found.
“There is a high degree of accuracy. But, nothing is 100 percent,” he said.
Reid Saito, Nyssa area farmer, proposed a committee to review each set of control rules.
“I feel it is necessary,” he said.
He said he is concerned there is no enforcement for imported onions from areas which have white rot for processing.
The review of rules for onion maggot control were not as controversial, as there were no votes against it.
The main issue is clarifying the dates when disposal procedures have to be completed. The control orders stipulate that disposal of cull or waste onions shall be accomplished by March 15 each year, and for onions sorted after that date, culls or onions shall be disposed of within one week after sorting.
Cramer said the maggot control committee will include growers, shippers, scientists, an extension agent and other industry experts. Also on the committee will be Idaho ag and industry representatives
“It’s a very public process,” he said.
The committee may decide to draft new rules or leave them as is.
There is also a comment period as the Oregon Agriculture Department adopts the administrative rules and as the Legislature ratifies them.
“The committee is not a closed process,” Cramer said.
All of the committee’s meetings are opened to the public, he said.
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