Regulation title

1   This regulation may be cited as the "Domestic Bacterial Ring Rot Regulation".

Definitions

2   In this regulation, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Act" means the Plant Protection Act;

"grower" means any person occupying land for the purpose of producing potatoes;

"inspector" means an inspector appointed under the Act;

"plant pathologist" means a plant pathologist authorized by the minister.

[am. B.C. Reg. 112/2014, App. s. 17 (a).]

Inspection may be done any time

3   Any inspector appointed to carry out this regulation may inspect any grower's crop in field or storage at any time.

Suspected rot must be reported

4   Any person who discovers or suspects the presence of bacterial ring rot in the person's crop, either in the field or storage, shall promptly notify a plant pathologist, submitting specimens of potato tubers so infected or suspected to be infected.

[am. B.C. Regs. 4/2010, s. 2; 112/2014, App. s. 17 (b) and (c); 76/2022, s. 4.]

Infected potatoes to be detained

5   A plant pathologist having determined the presence of bacterial ring rot in the specimens submitted shall so notify the inspector who shall cause any infected potatoes to be placed under detention.

No movement or sale of detained potatoes

6   Any inspector carrying out such order shall attach to any lot of potatoes a detention tag bearing the legend "Bacterial Ring Rot Regulation, under detention," and signed with the inspector's name. Thenceforth no person shall plant, sell or offer for sale, move, allow or cause to be moved any such potatoes, or remove such detention tags without the written authority of an inspector.

Detained potatoes to be examined by plant pathologist

7   Any inspector determining or suspecting the presence of bacterial ring rot in any lot of potatoes shall place a detention tag on any such lot of potatoes, duly notifying the grower of the inspector's action, and submit samples to a plant pathologist.

[am. B.C. Regs. 112/2014, App. s. 17 (b); 76/2022, s. 4.]

Disposal of infected potatoes

8   In the case of positive identification of bacterial ring rot the inspector shall promptly instruct the grower, shipper or the agent of the grower or shipper to cause all such potatoes to be moved to a processing plant, or otherwise dispose of same as the inspector may direct.

[am. B.C. Regs. 112/2014, App. s. 17 (b); 76/2022, s. 11.]

Disinfection of premises and equipment

9   When an inspector has determined or suspects the presence of bacterial ring rot on any premises, the inspector shall direct that any cellar, bin or other storage place, equipment, implement or machinery which has been or is suspected to have been in contact with any such infected potatoes be disinfected in accordance with instructions issued by the inspector. No person shall use crates, bags or other containers used for infected potatoes unless the same have been disinfected to the satisfaction of the inspector. No implements, equipment or machinery shall be used on or moved from any farm or premises found infected with bacterial ring rot before such disinfection has been effected.

[am. B.C. Regs. 112/2014, App. s. 17 (d); 76/2022, s. 3.]

Infected land must not bear potatoes next year

10   Any grower whose field or land has borne a crop of potatoes infected with bacterial ring rot shall not permit the same area to be planted to potatoes the following year and shall destroy any volunteer plants on such land.

Planting of adjacent land after infection

11   No grower whose field or land has produced a crop of potatoes infected with bacterial ring rot may plant potatoes on any adjacent field or land unless duly certified seed potatoes are used or unless the grower obtains a written permit from the inspector to plant uncertified potatoes.

[am. B.C. Regs. 112/2014, App. s. 17 (d); 76/2022, s. 3.]

Offence

12   Any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this regulation, or who fails to comply with any directions of the inspector, shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding $250.