Department staff utilized current licensing information for seed labelers in Wisconsin, as well as the Wisconsin Crop Improvement Association (WCIA) and the Wisconsin Agribusiness Association (WABA) to solicit feedback on the concept of prohibiting these weed seeds in seed labeled in Wisconsin. There was no opposition to these additions to the prohibited weed seed list.
Business Impact
The Department expects the proposed rule to have minimal economic impact.
Environmental Impact
This rule will assist in limiting the spread of noxious weed seeds in Wisconsin. Palmer amaranth and Waterhemp have caused crop devastation in other states, including in the adjacent state of Iowa. Prohibiting these noxious weed seeds in Wisconsin will have a positive environmental impact.
Federal and Surrounding State Programs
This rule proposal would update the Federal Seed Act (7 USC 1511-1611) which governs the labeling of agricultural seed intended for interstate commerce. The list of State Noxious-Weed Seed Requirements Recognized in the Administration of the Federal Seed Act would be updated to reflect our changes. DATCP Contact
The Department will hold a public hearing on this rule on a date to be determined (The Department will publish a hearing notice in the Wisconsin administrative register). Questions and comments related to this rule, including hearing comments, may be directed to:
Greg Helmbrecht
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911
Telephone: (608) 224-4596
SECTION 1. ATCP 20.01(27) is amended to read:
(27) “Prohibited noxious weed seeds” means the seeds of weeds that are highly destructive and difficult to control by good cultural practices and use of herbicides. “Prohibited noxious weed seeds” includes: Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth), Amaranthus tuberculatus (Waterhemp), convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed), euphorbia esula (leafy spurge), cirsium arvense (Canada thistle), panicum miliaceum (wild proso millet), eriochloa villosa (woolly cupgrass), pueraria montana var. lobate (kudzu), polygonum perfoliatum (mile-a-minute weed), centaurea picris (Russian knapweed), and centaurea maculos (spotted knapweed).
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule takes effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin administrative register, as provided in s. 227.22(2)(intro.), Stats.
