Florida Administrative Code
5 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
5B - Division of Plant Industry
Chapter 5B-52 - PESTS OF COTTON
Section 5B-52.007 - Planting Cotton in the Regulated Area and Required Participation

(1) Commercial cotton. All Commercial cotton growers shall be required to participate in the Boll Weevil Eradication Program. Participation shall include the timely reporting of acreage and field locations, compliance with regulations, and payment of fees as prescribed in this rule. In order to prevent the spread of the Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)) from south Florida northward to the state's Commercial cotton-producing areas, the planting of Commercial cotton is prohibited in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie and all counties south thereof. This area is hereby desiganted as the Regulated area.

(2) Noncommercial cotton. Noncommercial cotton shall not be produced in the Regulated area without a permit issued by the Division. Persons seeking a permit to produce Noncommercial cotton in the Regulated area must submit a completed Application and Permit to Move Organisms Regulated by the State of Florida, FDACS-08208, Rev. 01/13, incorporated by reference in Rule 5B-57.004, F.A.C.

(3) Commercial cotton that does not meet the requirements for Cotton planted in a Regulated area and that the Department has reason to believe jeopardizes the success of the program shall be destroyed by the Department.

(4) Notice of destruction. The Department may issue an order directing any cotton grower to destroy any Cotton that is not grown in compliance with Sections 581.031(20), 593.101 - 593.117, F.S. or this rule