Sec. 7a.

(1) Field bean seed produced east of a line dividing the central and mountain time zones and sold or offered for sale in Michigan, including seed offered for sale by its producer, shall be field inspected and laboratory tested for seed borne diseases including, but not limited to, common blight (Xanthomonas phaseoli), fuscous blight (Xanthomonas phaseoli var. fuscans), halo blight (Pseudomonas phaseolicola), and anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), which are determined by the director to be a threat to the bean industry. The director may inspect and test seed, from other sources as necessary, to determine the presence of or freedom from seed borne diseases.

(2) The director shall approve standards, tolerances, methods, procedures, and protocols employed in field inspections and laboratory tests of field beans. The field inspections and laboratory tests for disease approved by the director shall be at least equal to those field inspections and laboratory tests utilized for certified seed under Act No. 221 of the Public Acts of 1959, being sections 286.71 to 286.75 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and rules promulgated under that act. The director may modify those standards, tolerances, methods, procedures, and protocols described in this subsection if their application would threaten the normal propagation of a type or variety of field bean seed.

(3) In the case of field beans sold by variety name, the director may waive the requirement of inspection and analysis relative to a specific field bean disease if it is determined by the director that, through consultation with Michigan state university or other authorities recognized by the director, the variety is resistant to 1 or more specific field bean diseases.

(4) The director shall take enforcement action against any seed lots which he or she determines to be infected.

History: Add. 1996, Act 86, Imd. Eff. Feb. 27, 1996