Chapter 3.1 — MINT NURSERY STOCK—EXCLUSION OF VERTICILLIUM DAHLIAE OF MINT

The purpose of this chapter is to protect the mint growing industry in Siskiyou County from the introduction and spread of verticillium dahliae of mint.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(a)

"Mint or mint rootstock" means stolons, rhizomes, root tip cuttings, plantlets, plants or any part of spearmint or peppermint and their cultivars.

(b)

"Equipment" means all equipment, appliances and machinery used to plant, produce, harvest, transport or process mint.

(c)

"Person" means any person, entity, corporation, partnership, association, or body politic.

(d)

"Commissioner" means the Agricultural Commissioner for Siskiyou County.

(e)

"Verticillium" means verticillium wilt disease caused by the fungus verticillium dahliae.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)

The importation of mint and equipment used in association with mint into Siskiyou County is prohibited unless the conditions set forth in Sections 4-3.1.04 through 4-3.1.06 are satisfied.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)

Persons wanting to import mint into Siskiyou County shall apply in writing to the Commissioner for a permit to import and plant mint. The application form shall be prescribed by the Commissioner. The Board of Supervisors may establish a fee to be paid by each applicant. If the Commissioner, after investigation, determines that the mint is free of verticillium dahliae, he shall issue a permit authorizing the applicant to plant said mint.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)

Only tip cuttings, meristem cuttings or certified rootstock free from verticillium dahliae may be imported into Siskiyou County.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)

(a)

No person shall bring into Siskiyou County mint harvesting, hauling or processing equipment or other appliances unless those appliances are accompanied by a certificate of cleanliness issued by an agricultural regulatory office from the point of origin or are inspected by the Siskiyou County Agricultural Commissioner.

(b)

The Commissioner shall be notified within twenty-four (24) hours of the arrival in Siskiyou County of such appliances. They shall be held, before use, for inspection if the Commissioner deems it necessary.

(c)

If upon inspection of the appliances, soil or debris is detected, the appliances shall be treated as prescribed by the Commissioner or removed from Siskiyou County.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)

The Commissioner may, whenever he deems it necessary, inspect planted mint, mint intended for planting, any premises, land or machinery in order to determine the existence of verticillium dahliae.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)

If the Commissioner finds verticillium dahliae in mint nursery stock imported into Siskiyou County, the stock shall be rejected or destroyed at owners expense under Food and Agricultural Code Section 6521. If the Commissioner detects verticillium dahliae in production fields in Siskiyou County, the infestation shall be delimited within the infested field and shall be eradicated by and at the expense of the property owner, or shall be abated as provided in Food and Agricultural Code Sections 5401 et seq. Verticillium dahliae detected on any other land, property, premises or equipment shall be eradicated by or at the expense of the owner.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)

Any violation of the provisions of this chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than Five Hundred and no/100ths ($500.00) Dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or by both.

(§ I, Ord. 97-16, eff. April 15, 1997)