N.J. Admin. Code § 2:20-2.3 - Special permit for the importation and/or growing of plant cultivars and hybrids of European Black Currant (Ribes nigrum L.) in New Jersey

(a) Any person who wants to import or grow white pine blister rust resistant/immune varieties of European black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) plants into the State must first complete an application form, supplied by the Department, which includes the following information:

1. The name, address, and telephone number of person applying for permit;

2. The number of plants to be grown or imported during permit period listed by cultivar; and

3. A detailed map showing where the Ribes cultivars where plants will be grown during the permit period.

(b) An application is not valid as permit unless signed by authorized Department official.

(c) Plant cultivars and hybrids of Ribes nigrum L. shall be labeled as follows:

1. Imported plants shall be labeled with cultivar nomenclature during movement into or through the State.

2. Plants growing in the field shall be labeled with cultivar nomenclature at the beginning and end of each row.

3. If plants are moved, the grower shall provide notification to the Department, including a map of the new plant location, within seven days of movement.

(d) For new introductions of currants, the permittee shall provide to the Department a certification from the plant source that all plants are white pine blister rust resistant/immune cultivars. A permit may be issued following favorable scientific review and certification of the varieties by the USDA APHIS and/or the U.S. Forest Service.

(e) Inspection by the Department shall proceed as follows:

1. The permittee shall allow Department to access site where plants are grown.

2. The Department may inspect plants at least once each year during permit period to ensure freedom from white pine blister rust disease.

3. If white pine blister rust is found on less than two percent of plants of a specific cultivar, the permittee shall remove and destroy all infected plants within 10 days of an order by the Department.

4. If white pine blister rust disease is found on more than two percent of plants of a specific cultivar, the permittee shall remove and destroy all plants of the infected cultivar within 30 days of an order by the Department.

5. Any signs or symptoms of the white pine blister rust observed on any of the Ribes cultivars shall be reported by the permittee to the Department within five days.

(f) No new plants may be propagated from existing plants unless authorized in writing by the Department.

(g) Conditions for permit amendment, expiration or revocation are as follows:

1. The permit shall expire five years from date of issuance.

2. At the end of the permit period, the permittee shall remove and destroy all permitted plants unless the permit is amended and approved by the Department. A permittee who violates this section may be subject to penalty action by the Department as authorized by N.J.S.A. 4:7-18.

3. If any additional plants are to be received by the permittee during this period, the permittee shall amend his or her permit application in writing. Such amendment shall include written certification from the source of the plants that they are white pine blister rust resistant varieties. A map of the proposed planting site shall also be submitted with the request for permit amendment.

4. The Department may revoke the permit at any time if it determines that the permittee did not follow permit conditions or if plants appear to be a cause of spread of white pine blister rust.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 2:20-2.3

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 1887(a), effective 8/20/2018