Planting of Uncertified Potatoes

Under current law, a potato grower in Colorado is allowed to plant uncertified potatoes if the uncertified potatoes are no more than one generation removed from certified parent potatoes or qualified parent potatoes, but does not require any testing to verify the health of those potato seeds.

The bill clarifies requires that, uncertified potatoes may be planted only if they have been submitted and tested by the certifying authority of Colorado prior to planting. in order to plant uncertified potatoes, a potato grower must:

• Submit the uncertified potato seed stock to the certifying authority of Colorado for testing and have the certifying authority approve the potatoes for planting; or
• Ensure the uncertified potatoes are no more than one generation removed from certified or qualified parent potatoes and submit the uncertified potato seed stock to the certifying authority for testing.

The testing process is aimed to ensure that if uncertified potatoes are planted in Colorado, those potatoes are free from disease or other issues that may be detrimental to Colorado's potato crop.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)