Sec. 19.007. CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

(a) The department shall establish:

(1) the certification standards for genetic purity for varieties of citrus budwood by type;

(2) procedures that must be followed to prevent the introduction of dangerous citrus pathogens into budwood stock from and in foundation groves;

(3) procedures for certification of citrus budwood grown in foundation groves; and

(4) procedures for certification of citrus nursery trees.

(b) The department shall establish standards and procedures for:

(1) inspecting and testing for diseases, using current technologies in disease diagnosis, and for desirable horticultural characteristics of citrus budwood grown in designated foundation groves;

(2) certifying citrus budwood meeting requirements established under this chapter;

(3) maintaining a source of citrus budwood of superior tested varieties for distribution to the citrus industry;

(4) verifying propagation of citrus varieties and special rootstocks for growers on request; and

(5) maintaining appropriate records required for participation in the program.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 358, Sec. 1, eff. June 8, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1117, Sec. 6, eff. June 19, 1997.