In a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, WSSA and its five affiliates voice opposition to proposed USDA reorganization plans to close or downsize ARS laboratories

In a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, dated August 18, 2025, the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and its five affiliates expressed opposition to any proposal under the USDA reorganization plan to close or downsize Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Laboratories. The affiliates who joined WSSA in opposition to ARS lab closures or downsizing in the letter include 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," states the letter, signed by Hilary Sandler, Ph.D., WSSA president, and five affiliate organization representatives. "Their presence in diverse geographic regions ensures that research reflects the specific needs of local farming systems and ecosystems, which cannot be replicated or consolidated without significant scientific and economic cost."

The letter further states, "While efforts to improve efficiency and reduce duplication are commendable, laboratory closures risk irreparably damaging the scientific capacity that underpins our nation's food system. 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. Furthermore, such closures would have detrimental effects on local economies, weaken partnerships with land-grant universities, and disrupt decades of investment in research infrastructure and personnel."

The USDA's 30-day comment period that allowed stakeholders to provide feedback on the Department's reorganization plan ended August 26, 2025. WSSA and its affiliate professional societies have affirmed that they will continue to work together to advise and collaborate with USDA on its efforts to strengthen the nation's agricultural research networks, such as ARS Labs.

For more information about WSSA positions on science policy research , visit this weblink; to read the letter from WSSA and its affiliates in opposition to closing or downsizing ARS labs, select this PDF.

About the Weed Science Society of America
The Weed Science Society of America is a nonprofit scientific society, founded in 1956 to encourage and facilitate the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and strengthens cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit www.wssa.net.