01-001 C.M.R. ch. 255
The terms used in this Chapter shall have the same meaning as those defined in CMR 01-001, Chapter 252.
An import permit will be required on all imported seed potatoes planted or intended to be planted in Maine. Applications for an import permit can be obtained from the Division of Plant Industry, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. No import permit will be granted unless the Department determines that the seed potatoes to be imported meet all applicable standards for Maine certified seed potatoes.
Upon approval of application by the Department, an import permit will be issued. Seven days prior to expected arrival date, the importer must notify the Division of Plant Industry's Inspector Supervisor at the Presque Isle office. The person to whom seed potatoes are being shipped shall be responsible for obtaining the proper permits.
In addition to the import permit required by section 1, the incoming shipment shall be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting state or country affirming that:
1. The farm or farming operation on which the seed was produced has been free from bacterial ring rot (Corynebacterium sepedonicum or Clavibacter michiganense pv. sepedonicum) for the previous five 5) growing seasons.
2. The seed lot was found free of bacterial. ring rot during the current growing and packing season inspection.
B. The seed lot was produced in an area free of Golden Nematode (Globodera rostochiensis), the Columbia Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) and potato wart (Synchytrium endobioticum).
All imported shipments of seed must be tagged as 'Certified Seed Potatoes' or a similar designation indicating a higher quality. Certification must be done by a legal certifying agency in the State or country of origin. All shipments must be in new containers provided that in the case of bulk shipments, new trucks are not required where an inspector of the shipping state or country certifies that the truck has been satisfactorily cleaned and disinfected.
Any and all lots or shipments of imported seed potatoes must be held and not delivered until inspected by a member of Division of Plant Industry's Certified Seed Inspection Staff.
A sample taken at time of inspection of incoming seed will be planted and observed during the growing season for disease. content.
Any seed potatoes imported into the State of Maine in violation of this regulation shall immediately be sent out of the state or destroyed at the option and expense of the owners, his or their responsible agents and under the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
In 2007, the fee for an import permit shall be $25.00 per application plus an additional $0.10 per hundred weight except the additional per hundred weight fee is not charged when the application is for minitubers or plantlets. In 2008 and subsequent years, the fee for an import permit shall be $25.00 per application plus an additional $0.20 per hundred weight except the additional per hundred weight fee is not charged when the application is for minitubers or plantlets.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Chapter is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 7 M.R.S.A. §§ 2101 - 2105; 7 M.R.S.A. Chapter 1, §12; and 7 M.R.S.A. Chapter 411, §2352
EFFECTIVE DATE:
November 28, 1981 (Ch. 254)
AMENDED:
February 24, 1982 (EMERGENCY)
April 27, 1982 (repeal of Ch. 254 & Adoption of Ch. 255)
May 1, 1991
EFFECTIVE DATE (ELECTRONIC CONVERSION):
May 4, 1996
AMENDED:
July 8, 2007 – effective date of major substantive final adoption, filing 2007-238
CORRECTIONS:
February, 2014 – agency names, formatting