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Gov. Christine Gregoire: 'Made in Washington' means quality ag products around the globe

For Immediate Release: October 14, 2005

PULLMAN - FRIDAY, OCT. 14, 2005 - Gov. Christine Gregoire said today that Washington State is poised to pioneer new industries in alternative energy and bio sciences.

�Because Washington State stands on one of the world�s premier intersections between agriculture, research, technology and trade, we have the right stuff to lead in these industries,� said Gov. Gregoire while dedicating the new Plant Bio Sciences building at Washington State University.

The governor said research in bio sciences will help the state�s agricultural community build on its global reputation for safe, quality products.

�From my travels in Asia and Europe, I couldn�t be more optimistic for our agriculture industry,� she said. �We have earned a reputation for producing some of the finest quality products in the world. Our �Made in Washington� label is quickly becoming the global standard for quality, healthy agricultural products.�

Now is the time to build upon that reputation, she added. Washington has more than 300 unique agricultural products from which to choose, offering much to the world economy and adding to global demands.

�By continuing to make investments in agriculture research and development, we�ll pioneer new varieties of apples, and develop disease resistant crops, less environmentally harmful pest controls, and better watering methods, making our agricultural products even safer, fresher and better,� the governor said.

WSU�s new plant bio sciences building brings university scientists together with those from USDA�s Agricultural Research Service to find ways to overcome challenges growers face.

Washington also stands to lead in bio-fuels, the governor said. �We have the vibrant agricultural, industrial and research bases bio-fuel companies need to grow, and the ports to ship them worldwide,� she said. �We are unique in having all of these elements within 200 miles of each other.�

To help this industry develop, the administration�s construction budget provides $13.1 million dollars to help build the Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory in the Tri-Cities, a joint venture between Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Researchers will investigate ways to convert low-value agricultural byproducts into chemicals for products like plastics, solvents, fibers, pharmaceuticals and fuel additives.

�We�re also promoting bio-diesel around the state, which right now is a couple of million gallons a year market in a billion-gallon Washington diesel market,� Gov. Gregoire said. �It�s a smart investment we can make in an industry at the beginning of its life cycle.�

Washington State farmers have reason to support the bio-fuels industry, as well. Most farm equipment that runs on diesel can run on bio-diesel without modifications, and bio-fuels can be made from some crops for additional sources of income. Bio-fuel byproducts also have promise as fumigants, feed and glycerin.

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