Montana’s senators, Jon Tester and Steve Daines, are working together to prevent the spread of potato wart disease, a fungal infection that poses a threat to the state’s potato crops. The disease has the potential to devastate Montana’s economy, as potatoes are one of the state’s most important crops.
Tester and Daines are advocating for stricter regulations on the importation of seed potatoes, which are the primary way that the disease is spread. They are also calling for increased funding for research and prevention efforts.
Potato wart disease is already present in some parts of the United States, and the senators want to ensure that it does not spread to Montana. The disease can survive in soil for up to 20 years, making it difficult to eradicate once it takes hold.
The senators have introduced legislation that would give the U.S. Department of Agriculture more authority to regulate the importation of seed potatoes and other plant materials. They are also pushing for increased funding for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is responsible for monitoring and preventing the spread of plant diseases.
Montana’s potato farmers are supportive of the senators’ efforts, as they rely on a healthy potato crop for their livelihoods. They are hopeful that stricter regulations and increased funding will help to protect their crops from the devastating effects of potato wart disease.
In a joint statement, Tester and Daines emphasized the importance of preventing the spread of potato wart disease in order to protect Montana’s agricultural industry. They are committed to working together to ensure that the state’s potato crops remain healthy and productive for years to come.
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