A bill aimed at preventing massive disruptions of trade at U.S. ports, like the slow downs at West Coast ports last winter, has been introduced in the House. It's a companion to one introduced in the Senate two months ago. Click here for full story.
The Washington Apple Commission has tripled its reserves for the possibility of food safety scares, loss of federal funding and other emergencies. For full story click here.
Trade groups talk privately about changing law to prevent future port slow downs but don't appear to be getting any effort started. Click here for the full story
A federal mediator is getting involved in stalled contract talks between West Coast dockworkers and their employers. Click here for the full story
Onion prices have dropped significantly and are below the cost of production for most growers. The West Coast port slowdown, a decline in exports and the Russian embargo are some of the many factors causing the price decrease. Click here for the full story
Some processors have flown french fries to Japan, seeking to keep markets intact in the face of West Coast dock worker labor stoppages and slowdowns. Click here for the full story
Curtailed negotiations between the longshoremen's union and container terminal operators may prolong congestion at West Coast ports, impeding exports of farm products. Click here for the full story
If the escalating dispute between longshoremen and container terminal operators leads to a shutdown of West Coast ports, the federal government has the power to temporarily re-open them. Click here for the full story
