08 Feb KARA submits proponent testimony on proposed Kansas noxious weed regulations
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) has submitted proponent testimony in support of proposed amendments to the Kansas Noxious Weed Act Regulations.
The Kansas Dept. of Agriculture (KDA) has issued a public notice of its proposal to amend these agency regulations following the passage of amendments to the Noxious Weed Act by the Kansas Legislature in 2018. The act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adopt rules and regulations to declare certain species of plants as noxious weeds in the state.
In developing these proposed regulations, KDA sought input from the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee, as required by K.S.A. 2-1314. KARA is represented with a seat on this advisory committee which was created by the legislature with the purpose of advising the Secretary on any proposed changes to noxious weed regulations.
Instead of the prior process of passing legislation to declare noxious weeds, the Secretary now proposes regulations on the designation, classification, and control methods for those weeds to be determined to be noxious weeds in the state of Kansas. The proposed regulations also set forth the official control plan adopted for each noxious weed, and require the control of noxious weeds to be taken in accordance with the official control plan.
KARA supports the regulation of the control of noxious weeds through use of a science-based process that benefits production agriculture, landowners, and all Kansas residents. As proposed, the regulations require control plans to be based on the most current available science, to include biological, chemical, cultural and mechanical controls, where applicable. As such, we stand in support of the proposed regulations.
KDA’s virtual public hearing on these regulations has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m., February 16, 2021. Anyone desiring to participate in the public hearing via video conference must pre-register at.