Jul 10, 2025Proposed permitting process for Michigan late blight research abandoned
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will not implement a proposed permitting process for late blight research that would have established geographic research constraints under MDARD oversight.
Feedback provided to MDARD, including from the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC), Michigan Seed Potato Association, a Michigan State University researcher and several independent potato growers, indicated opposition to the plan, according to MPIC. Stakeholders said the proposed plan was overly restrictive and would render late blight research efforts ineffective.
“The current proposed permit process would effectively shut down all late blight research in the state, as researchers would not be able to meet the mileage buffer and inoculation date restrictions while maintaining the necessary research integrity,” an MPIC letter (.pdf) to MDARD read in part.
Instead, MDARD will defer to an MPIC-led plan that will create a memorandum of understanding between MPIC and entities who plan to engage in research and set an inoculation date of no earlier than July 25.
The plan will also create a late blight research oversight committee, establish a webpage of best research practices and create communication plans for growers and late blight researchers.
“MDARD’s policy on pest movement permits will remain the same for the immediate future and will not require permits for intrastate movement of pathogens that are released in research trials,” MDARD said in a statement. “However, all relevant parties should be fully aware that, in the absence of this permit process, MDARD will be unable to intervene or provide assistance with enforcement.”
