Business Impact
The Department expects the proposed rule to have minimal economic impact.
Environmental Impact
Prohibiting Palmer amaranth and Waterhemp will have a positive environmental impact in Wisconsin. This rule will assist in limiting the spread of weed seeds that have caused crop devastation in other states, including Iowa.
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 the changes instituted by the present rule. Minnesota has listed Palmer amaranth as a prohibited noxious weed seed. Iowa has made Palmer amaranth a primary noxious weed in both seed and weed laws.
DATCP Contact
Questions and comments related to this rule 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.
