Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 554 - Quarantines of Agricultural Commodities
🧾 Overview of NAC Chapter 554
1. General Provisions
NAC 554.005 – 554.065: These sections define key terms and outline the authority of the State Quarantine Officer to establish and enforce quarantines.
2. Exterior Quarantines
Exterior quarantines are imposed on agricultural commodities entering Nevada from other states or countries to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases.
NAC 554.700 – 554.730: Establish a quarantine against the Colorado potato beetle. Restricted commodities include tomato plants, eggplant, peppers, Irish potatoes, and soil associated with these items. Shipments must be accompanied by a certificate affirming they are free from infestation.
NAC 554.755 – 554.775: Impose a quarantine against potato late blight. Seed potatoes and potato plants must be certified as free from late blight before entering Nevada.
NAC 554.535 – 554.575: Address the introduction of organisms causing lethal yellowing of palm trees. Affected commodities must be treated or destroyed if found infested.
NAC 554.162 – 554.220: Implement a quarantine against the Japanese beetle. Certain commodities from infested areas are restricted.
NAC 554.480 – 554.520: Establish a quarantine against mint disease. Mint plants and related products must meet certification requirements.
NAC 554.525 – 554.529: Address the mint stem borer pest. Mint commodities must be inspected and certified as free from infestation.
3. Interior Quarantines
Interior quarantines regulate the movement of agricultural commodities within Nevada to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
NAC 554.805 – 554.825: Establish a quarantine against Africanized honeybees in Clark, Nye, and Lincoln counties. Movement of honeybees and related products is restricted in these areas.
NAC 554.910 – 554.950: Address stem and bulb nematode and white rot fungus. Certain plant materials must be certified before movement within the state.
4. Enforcement and Penalties
NAC 554.970 – 554.982: Outline penalties for violations of quarantine regulations, including civil and criminal penalties. Fumigation, disinfection, or destruction of quarantined commodities may be ordered at the owner's expense.
⚖️ Relevant Case Law
While specific case law directly interpreting NAC Chapter 554 is limited, related statutes provide insight into legal considerations:
NRS 554.170: Authorizes the State Quarantine Officer to fumigate, disinfect, treat, or destroy quarantined agricultural commodities if they pose a threat to public health, water quality, wildlife, or industry. Nevada.Public.Law
NRS 554.190: Details the responsibilities of commodity owners regarding treatment or destruction of quarantined items, including penalties for non-compliance.
✅ Summary
NAC Chapter 554 serves as a critical component of Nevada's agricultural regulatory framework, ensuring that seeds and related products meet established standards for quality and safety. By providing detailed certification processes and enforcing strict labeling and content requirements, the regulations protect consumers and support the agricultural industry. While specific case law interpreting these regulations is limited, the underlying statutes provide a robust legal foundation for enforcement and compliance.
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