Aug 7, 2017Wisconsin governor signs two laws backed by potato industry
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on Aug. signed two bills into law that were supported by the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association.
Senate Bill 20 requires that the treatment of late blight of potatoes, when ordered by the Department of Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), must be completed within 24 hours of the order’s issuance, and that the destruction of the plants due to late blight of potatoes, when ordered by DATCP, must be completed within 72 hours of the order’s issuance. Authored by Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Representative John Spiros (R-Marshfield), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. The measure took effect Aug. 4.
Senate Bill 23 requires seed potato growers planting five or more acres in a calendar year to use seed potatoes certified by the University of Wisconsin-Madison or from an equivalent program in another state. Authored by Senator Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) and Representative John Spiros (R-Marshfield), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. This Act takes effect on Jan. 1, 2018.
WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan testified in favor of these bills along with potato growers J.D. Schroeder and Steve Diercks, as well as UW Plant Pathologist Amanda Gevens and Alex Crockford of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program.
