Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) For the purpose of
this rule chapter, the definitions in Section
581.011, F.S., and following
definitions shall apply:
(a) Beneficial
Organisms. Any organism which benefits Florida's native or agricultural plants,
or benefits one without adversely impacting the other, by improving plant
health or growth, or which may adversely affect pest species such as
arthropods, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes.
(b) Biological Control Agent. Any biological
agent such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, arthropods, parasitoids, parasites,
nematodes, and predators that adversely affects pest species.
(c) Contiguous. Two or more plantings of
non-native plants with a common boundary or a parcel of land that has been
separated or divided into more than one planting of non-native plants whether
separated or divided by a roadway or any other area not under cultivation with
non-native plants.
(d) Department.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(e) International Movement. Movement into
Florida from any country or area outside the United States.
(f) Interstate Movement. Movement into
Florida from another state or U.S. possession.
(g) Intrastate Movement. Movement within the
state of Florida.
(h) Invasive
Plant. A naturalized plant that disrupts naturally occurring native plant
communities by altering structure, composition, natural processes or habitat
quality.
(i) Natural Dispersion.
Movement of an aquatic plant by meteorological, biological, hydrological, or
any other natural process.
(j)
Naturalized Plant. A plant that is reproducing spontaneously outside of
cultivation and outside its native range.
(k) Nematode. A small unsegmented worm in all
of its life stages in the Phylum Nematoda.
(l) Non-Native Species. Any non-native
plants, algae, or blue-green algae, including genetically engineered plants,
algae, or blue-green algae in plantings greater in size than two contiguous
acres.
(m) Non-Native Species
Permit. A permit issued by the Department authorizing a non-native species
planting.
(n) Non-Native Species
Planting. The cultivation or production of a nonnative plants, algae, or
blue-green algae, including a genetically engineered plants, algae, or
blue-green algae in plantings greater in size than two contiguous
acres.
(o) Noxious Aquatic Plant.
As defined in section
369.25 F.S.
(p) Noxious Weed. Any living stage,
including, but not limited to, seeds and reproductive parts, of a parasitic or
other plants of a kind, or subdivision of a kind, which may be a serious
agricultural threat in Florida, or have a negative impact on the plant species
protected under section
581.185, F.S., or if the plant
is a naturalized plant that disrupts naturally occurring native plant
communities.
(q) Noxious Weed and
Invasive Plant Review Committee. A committee appointed by the Department, in
accordance with Section
570.0705, F.S., to review the
Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant List in subsection
5B-57.010(2),
F.A.C., as provided for in Section
581.091(4),
F.S.
(r) Permit. An official
document issued by the Department or the USDA allowing, under specific
conditions, the entry or field release of plant pests, noxious weeds, invasive
plants, arthropods, and biological control agents, defining the conditions
under which such activities will be allowed, and containing specific
instructions for inspection, movement, and containment.
(s) Synonym. A scientific or common name,
other than the approved name, which applies to the same plant.
(t) USDA. The United States Department of
Agriculture.
(2) The
purpose of this rule chapter is to control the introduction into, or movement
or spread within this state of any plant pest, noxious weed, or arthropod, and
to establish procedures under which the field release of plant pests, noxious
weeds, arthropods, and biological control agents or non-native species
plantings are permitted. Such procedures will assist in confirming that
introductions and field releases are conducted in a manner which provides for
public and environmental protection.
Rulemaking Authority 570.07(23), 581.031(4), (5) FS. Law
Implemented 581.031(4), (5), (6), 581.083, 581.091
FS.
New 7-27-93, Amended 4-18-04, 10-1-06, 7-29-13,
9-28-20.