In Colorado, a legislative bill addressing the planting of uncertified potatoes has brought together lawmakers in a great display of unity.
With the legislative session set to conclude on May 8, the bill focused on planting practices has swiftly made its way to the governor’s desk.
Colorado’s potato industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, with over 52,000 acres dedicated to potato cultivation annually, yielding more than 1 million tons of potatoes and generating over $335 million in economic output.
The recent emergence of the Potato Virus Y poses a substantial threat to Colorado’s potato crop. To safeguard the industry and prevent the spread of the virus, testing of uncertified potato seed stock before planting is deemed crucial.
Protecting Colorado’s potato growers, agriculture sector, and overall economy necessitates stringent measures to contain the spread of Potato Virus Y and other potato-related diseases.
Under the proposed bill, uncertified potato seed stock must undergo testing and receive approval from the certifying authority, the Department of Agriculture (CDA), before being planted. This new requirement is expected to increase the state’s workload and potentially enhance state revenue in the long term.
In summary, the bill seeks to amend the Colorado Potato Seed Act, mandating that potato growers submit uncertified seed stock to the CDA for testing prior to planting. Approval of the seed stock will be contingent upon meeting the standards established by the Commissioner of Agriculture.
The common cause of combatting the potato virus has brought together more than two dozen bipartisan lawmakers who have signed on as sponsors of the bill, demonstrating a shared commitment to protecting Colorado’s vital potato industry.
