Kern County Municipal Code Ch. 8.08 Agricultural Produce Inspection

The agricultural commissioner may certify compliance with Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code by means of a certificate containing a description of the produce, the quantity of the lot, identifying marks on the containers, identification of location or vehicle, and any other facts necessary to readily identify the lot.

(Prior code § 6401)

In lieu of issuing a certificate of compliance, the agricultural commissioner may certify compliance by means of a county certification stamp or device.

A. Such certification stamp or device shall be affixed to a bill of lading, invoice, or other documents which shall show a description of the produce of the lot, the quantity, identifying marks on the containers, identification of location or vehicle, and any other facts necessary to readily identify the lot. Such bill of lading, invoice or other document shall accompany each lot or load during transportation.

B. The agricultural commissioner may affix the county certification stamp or device, or may authorize its use by a grower, shipper, packer or other financially interested person. Such person shall maintain records of shipments which shall inform when the stamp or device was used and the number of containers in each lot or load represented as being so certified. Such records shall be presented upon demand of the commissioner or the Director of Food and Agriculture of the State of California.

C. It is unlawful for any person authorized to use a county certification stamp or device to do any of the following:

1. Alter such stamp or device;

2. Use such stamp or device to certify any lot or load of produce which is not in compliance with this division;

3. Use such stamp or device in a manner other than provided in this section.

D. The agricultural commissioner shall revoke or suspend the right of any person to use any certification stamp or device when such person violates any provision of this section.

E. It is unlawful for any person whose right to use any certification stamp or device has been revoked or suspended to refuse to surrender to the commissioner, upon demand, any unused stamps or device issued to such person.

(Prior code § 6402)

The schedule of fees for such inspection shall be determined by resolution of the board of supervisors. Such schedule of fees shall be based upon the approximate cost of the inspection necessary to determine that the various articles of produce have met the requirements established by the Food and Agricultural Code, and shall be paid by owners or shippers receiving such inspections. Such fees shall be established within the rates prescribed by Section 42793 of the Food and Agriculture Code. The fees herein provided for shall be paid to the county through the office of the agricultural commissioner, the same being due within thirty (30) days after billing by the agricultural commissioner.

(Prior code § 6403)

It is unlawful for any person to sell, transport, or ship, or have in his or her possession for sale, transportation or shipment of twenty-five (25) pounds or more of cantaloupe unless the agricultural commissioner of the county has been notified no less than twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the intent to harvest/pack such cantaloupe and the commissioner has issued a certificate of inspection showing that such cantaloupe complies with the provisions of the California Cantaloupe Program as adopted by the California Cantaloupe Board and the minimum standards of Division 17 of the Food and Agriculture Code of the state. The commissioner shall also be notified no less than twenty-four (24) hours in advance of completion of harvest in any field. Cantaloupes sold by the producer on or near the point of production or at a certified farmer's market are exempt from mandatory notification and certification.

(Ord. G-4794 § 3 (part), 1988: prior code § 6404)

The agricultural commissioner may certify compliance with the provisions of the California Cantaloupe Program as adopted by the California Cantaloupe Board and the minimum standards of Division 17 of the Food and Agriculture Code by means of an inspection/certification certificate containing a description of the produce, the quantity of the lot, identifying marks on the containers, identification of location or vehicle, and any other facts necessary to readily identify the lot.

(Ord. G-4794 § 3 (part), 1988: prior code § 6405)

In lieu of issuing the certificate described in Section 8.08.060, the agricultural commissioner may certify compliance by means of a county certification stamp or device.

A. Such certification stamp or device shall be affixed to each container of cantaloupe, a bill of lading, invoice, or other documents which shall show a description of the produce of the lot, the quantity, identifying marks on the containers, identification of location or vehicle, and any other facts necessary to readily identify the lot. Such bill of lading, invoice or other document shall accompany each lot or load during transportation.

B. The agricultural commissioner may issue the county certification stamp or device, or may authorize its use by a grower, shipper, packer or other financially interested person. Such person shall maintain records of shipments which shall inform when the stamp or device was used and the number of containers in each lot or load represented as being so certified. Such records shall be presented upon demand of the commissioner or the Director of Food and Agriculture of the state.

C. It is unlawful for any person authorized to use a county certification stamp or device to do any of the following:

1. Alter such stamp or device;

2. Use such stamp or device to represent any lot or load of produce which is not in compliance with this division;

3. Use such stamp or device in a manner other than provided in this section.

D. The agricultural commissioner shall revoke or suspend the right of any person to use any certification stamp or device when such person violates any provision of this section.

E. It is unlawful for any person whose right to use any certification stamp or device has been revoked or suspended to refuse to surrender to the commissioner, upon demand, any unused stamps or device issued to such person.

(Ord. G-4794 § 3 (part), 1988: prior code § 6406)