Washington Wheat Declared Free Of Karnal Bunt

Washington’s wheat crop Monday was declared free of Karnal bunt fungus, avoiding an expensive quarantine and financial disaster for the $700 million industry.

Mary Toohey, head of laboratory services for the Washington Department of Agriculture, said inspectors found no trace of the disease, which was first detected in March in Arizona, New Mexico, California and Texas. Seed from Arizona in April was found planted near Moses Lake, and the department quickly destroyed the field.

“There is no evidence of any Karnal bunt,” Toohey said. “We’re hoping this clarifies the trade position that the disease is not widespread.”

Officials made their findings after collecting 132 samples at harvest from all but five wheat-producing counties, Toohey said. The survey was part of a national inspection to eradicate the fungus, which reduces crop yields and leaves a fishy taste in wheat flour.

Grain elevators in Walla Walla, Asotin, Douglas, Chelan and Okanogan counties refused to provide samples for fear that the appearance of the fungus might ruin them financially, Toohey said. Others objected to the way officials collected and tested the grain.

Karnal bunt poses no danger to humans or animals.

The Karnal bunt outbreak in Arizona triggered a federal quarantine of several states and forced farmers to sell much of their crop as cattle feed.

The quarantine was necessary to ensure agreements with 22 foreign nations, including China and Russia, that U.S. wheat does not contain Karnal bunt. Only a handful of those nations buy wheat from the Pacific Northwest.

, DataTimes