Notice of Opportunity to Provide Public Comment Requested Waiver for Seed Potato Certification

Division / Program: Seed Certification Program
Date: November 4, 2026

Event Type: Public Comment

Notice is hereby given pursuant to 7 M.R.S. 2103-A and 01-001 C.M.R. ch. 252, 2(H)(1), that the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has received a request to waive certain requirements for certifying seed potatoes.

Names and Locations of Entities Requesting Waivers:

  • Bradstreet Family Farm, LLC, 652 Main Rd., Bridgewater, ME 04735
  • Double B Farms, 103 Main Rd., Bridgewater, ME 04735

Nature and Purpose of the Requested Waiver:

By rule, growers of certified seed must notify DACF at least two days prior to commencing vine kill. DACF has no record that such notice was given. As a result, DACF could not conduct the field inspections for regulated diseases required for seed lots to be eligible for certification. Bradstreet Family Farm and Double B Farms are requesting a waiver of the requirement to have received field inspection for regulated diseases and be permitted to proceed to post-harvest testing. Regulated diseases for which DACF does not have required field readings include PLRV, PVY, and bacterial ring rot.

Opportunity to Submit Public Comment

Interested persons may provide comment to the Commissioner on this request to waive certain requirements for seed certification. The Commissioner is particularly interested in comments in the following areas:

  • If the waiver is granted, what are the possible effects on the seed industry, including implications for seed quality, disease risk, market confidence, and other relevant considerations?

  • If the waiver is denied, what are the potential effects on the potato industry, including possible losses of contracts or established markets?

DACF is accepting comments on behalf of the Commissioner until 11:59 pm, Monday, November 9, 2026. To submit comments, please e-mail them to Sita.Ghimire@maine.gov.

If you require an accommodation or service to participate, please contact us at dacf@maine.gov or (207) 287-3200 at least 5 days prior to the event.