18G.01 PLANT PROTECTION; POWERS OF COMMISSIONER. (a) This chapter authorizes the commissioner to abate, suppress, eradicate, prevent, or otherwise regulate the introduction or establishment of plant pests that threaten Minnesota’s agricultural, forest, or horticultural interests or the general ecological quality of the state. (b) The commissioner may employ entomologists, plant pathologists, and other qualified employees […]
18G.02 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Scope. The definitions in this section apply to this chapter. Subd. 2. Biological control agent. “Biological control agent” means a parasite, predator, pathogen, or competitive organism intentionally released by humans for the purpose of biological control with the intent of causing a reduction of a host or prey population. Subd. 3. […]
18G.03 POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER. Subdivision 1. Entry and inspection. (a) The commissioner may enter and inspect a public or private place that might harbor plant pests and may require that the owner destroy or treat plant pests, plants, or other material. (b) If the owner fails to properly comply with a directive of […]
18G.04 ERADICATION, CONTROL, AND ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES; ISSUING CONTROL ORDERS. Subdivision 1. Public nuisance. Any premises, plant, appliance, conveyance, or article that is infected or infested with plant pests that may cause significant damage or harm and any premises where any plant pest is found is a public nuisance and must be prosecuted as a […]
18G.05 DISCOVERY OF PLANT PESTS; OFFICIAL MARKING OF INFESTED OR INFECTED ARTICLES. Upon knowledge of the existence of a dangerous or injurious plant pest or invasive species within the state, the commissioner may conspicuously mark all plants, infested areas, materials, and articles known or suspected to be infected or infested with the plant pest or […]
18G.06 ESTABLISHMENT OF QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS. Subdivision 1. Scope. The commissioner may impose a quarantine restricting or regulating the production, movement, or existence of plants, plant products, agricultural commodities, crop seed, farm products, or other articles or materials in order that the introduction or spread of a plant pest may be prevented or limited or an […]
18G.07 TREE CARE AND TREE TRIMMING COMPANY REGISTRATION. Subdivision 1. Creation of registry. (a) The commissioner shall maintain a list of all persons, businesses, and companies that employ persons who provide tree care or tree trimming services in Minnesota. All commercial tree care providers, tree trimmers, and employers that direct employees to remove trees, limbs, […]
18G.09 SHIPMENT OF PLANT PESTS AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS. (a) A person may not sell, offer for sale, move, convey, transport, deliver, ship, or offer for shipment any plant pest, noxious weed, or biological control agent without a permit from the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or its state […]
18G.10 EXPORT CERTIFICATION, INSPECTIONS, CERTIFICATES, PERMITS, AND FEES. Subdivision 1. Purpose. To ensure continued access to foreign and domestic markets, the commissioner shall provide inspection and certification services to ensure that appropriate phytosanitary restrictions or requirements are fully met. Subd. 2. Disposition and use of money received. All fees and penalties collected under this chapter […]
18G.11 COOPERATION WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS. Subdivision 1. Detection and control agreements. The commissioner may enter into cooperative agreements with organizations, persons, civic groups, governmental agencies, or other organizations to adopt and execute plans to detect and control areas infested or infected with harmful plant pests. The cooperative agreements may include provisions of joint funding of […]
18G.12 INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT AND INVESTIGATION. Subdivision 1. Plant pest and invasive species research. The commissioner shall conduct research to prevent the introduction or spread of invasive species and plant pests into the state and to investigate the feasibility of their control or eradication. Subd. 2. Statewide program. The commissioner shall establish a statewide program […]
18G.13 LOCAL PEST CONTROL. Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to authorize political subdivisions to establish and fund their own programs to control pests that are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Subd. 2. Control. The governing body of a county, city, or town may appropriate […]
18G.14 MOSQUITO ABATEMENT. Subdivision 1. Declaration of policy. The abatement or suppression of mosquitoes is advisable and necessary for the maintenance and improvement of the health, welfare, and prosperity of the people. Areas where mosquitoes incubate or hatch are declared to be public nuisances and may be abated under this section. Mosquito abatement may be […]
