Key Takeaways:
- WSSA and five regional affiliates sent a letter to the USDA opposing potential closures or downsizing of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Laboratories.
- The letter highlights the role of ARS labs in addressing herbicide resistance, invasive species, soil health, and food security.
- Leaders argue closures would damage long-term agricultural productivity, biosecurity, and local economies.
- The 30-day USDA public comment period on the reorganization plan closed on August 26, 2025.
- WSSA and affiliates reaffirm commitment to collaborating with USDA to strengthen agricultural research networks.
Unified Opposition to ARS Lab Closures
In an August 18, 2025, letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and five regional affiliates expressed opposition to any USDA reorganization proposal that would close or reduce Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Laboratories. The affiliates included the Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS), the North Central Weed Science Society (NCWSS), the Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS), the Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS), and the Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS).
“These labs not only support the innovation and scientific discovery that keep American agriculture competitive, but they also address urgent challenges such as herbicide resistance, invasive species, soil health, food security, and targeted and autonomous weed control,” the letter stated.
The letter was signed by Hilary Sandler, Ph.D., President of WSSA, along with representatives of the five affiliate organizations.
WSSA’s Concerns Over Long-Term Impact
The WSSA and affiliates argued that closures would have lasting negative consequences. “ARS research provides a public good that private industry often cannot or will not undertake—long-term, fundamental agricultural science for the benefit of all Americans. Any cost savings from closing ARS labs would be dwarfed by the long-term losses in productivity, biosecurity, and environmental sustainability,” the letter said.
The groups also warned of local economic effects, weakened partnerships with land-grant universities, and disruption of decades of investments in agricultural research.
Next Steps
The USDA’s 30-day comment period on its reorganization plan ended August 26, 2025. WSSA and its affiliates emphasized they will continue to work with the USDA to strengthen research networks and ensure ARS Labs remain a cornerstone of U.S. agricultural innovation.
Read the full letter here.
