Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 140 - Marketing
Chapter ATCP 156 - Certified Seed Potatoes
Subchapter II - Certification
Section ATCP 156.05 - Classifying certified seed potatoes

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง ATCP 156.05

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) GENERAL.

(a) The college shall classify certified seed potatoes according to Table 3. The college shall use the standard classification except that, if the seed potatoes are descended from propagative material approved under s. ATCP 156.03(1) (f), the college shall use the experimental classification.

Table 3. Classification

Year of Field Propagation (Generation)

Standard Classification

Experimental Classification

1

FY1

Ex5

2

FY2

Ex6

3

FY3

Certified

4

FY4

5

FY5

6

FY6

7

Certified

(b) In Table 3:
1. "F" means foundation seed potatoes.

2. "Ex" means experimental foundation seed potatoes.

3. "Certified" means certified seed potatoes other than foundation seed potatoes.

4. In each column, classifications are listed from highest (top) to lowest (bottom).

(2) CLASSIFICATION BASED ON YEARS OF FIELD PROPAGATION.

(a) Except as provided in sub. (3), the college may not do any of the following:
1. Certify, under the standard classification, seed potatoes from a line with more than 7 generations of field propagation.

2. Certify, under the experimental classification, seed potatoes from a line with more than 3 generations of field propagation. The college shall classify the first field-propagated generation as "Ex5."

Note: "Field propagation" does not include outdoor production of propagative material at a breeding farm, prior to time that the college approves that propagative material under s. ATCP 156.03(1) (f) for use at a seed potato farm. See s. ATCP 156.01(10) (b).

(b) The college shall downgrade the classification of certified seed potatoes by one step for each year of field propagation, except that no potatoes may be certified as foundation seed potatoes unless they meet the standards under s. ATCP 156.03.

Note: Pathogen populations in seed potatoes normally increase with each year (generation) of field propagation. Under the standard classification system, seed potatoes may be certified for up to 6 generations as "foundation" seed potatoes (for use as seed for other certified seed potatoes). The 7th generation may be certified as seed for commercial potatoes, but not for growing other certified seed potatoes. Seed potatoes are normally downgraded by one step for each year of field propagation. But if they fail to meet standards under s. ATCP 156.03(5) for "foundation" seed potatoes, they must be downgraded to "certified" class even if they have been propagated in the field for fewer than 7 years. If they fail to meet the basic standards for certification under s. ATCP 156.03, they may not be certified at all.

(c) Foundation seed potatoes certified by another state shall be treated as having an equivalent classification under Table 3 based on years of field propagation. If the seed potatoes do not bear a classification showing the year of field propagation, they shall be treated as FY5.

Note: Under s. ATCP 156.03(1) (e), foundation seed potatoes certified by another state may be used to grow certified seed potatoes in this state if the other state uses equivalent certification standards and the college pre-approves the use.

(3) CLASSIFICATION RENEWAL.

(a) The college may grant one of the following classification renewals one time for any line of certified seed potatoes:
1. The college may classify, as "FY5" rather than "certified," certified seed potatoes produced from seed potatoes classified as "FY6."

2. The college may classify, as "Ex5" rather than "certified," certified seed potatoes produced from seed potatoes classified as "Ex6."

Note: Among other things, a classification renewal under par. (a) may allow continued production of a minor or experimental variety for which there may be a limited seed supply. A renewal gives seed potato growers another 3 years to find a new seed source for that variety.

(b) The college may grant a classification renewal under par. (a) if all of the following apply:
1. The seed potato grower requests the renewal in writing, and submits information to justify the renewal.

Note: For example, the seed potato grower may document favorable test results, "tuber unit planting," a limited supply of a special variety, or other conditions that may warrant the renewal. "Tuber unit planting" means cutting seed potatoes into pieces and planting the pieces together in the field in such a way that if any progeny plants from any tuber are diseased or off-variety, all progeny from that tuber will be identified and discarded.

2. The college finds that the seed potatoes affected by the renewal meet all of the certification standards under s. ATCP 156.03.

3. The college finds that the renewal will not jeopardize seed potato quality, or pose a significant risk of harm to the potato industry or consumers.

(c) The college may require laboratory tests on a representative sample of any seed potatoes for which a seed potato grower requests a classification renewal under par. (a).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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