80-5-403. Imported seed potatoes -- restrictions -- exceptions. (1) To control and prevent the spread of contagious diseases among seed potato stock, seed potatoes may not be imported into this state for any commercial purpose unless the seed potatoes are:
     (a) from seed stock produced as a part of a certified seed potato crop in the state or country of origin and certified as being from that stock;
     (b) subject to inspection at the Montana receiving point by a federal or state-federal standard grade inspector;
     (c) shipped in a clean, disinfected container or transportation carrier; and
     (d) accompanied by a United States department of agriculture or state of origin certification of inspection describing the seed variety, seed class, standard grade, quality or condition, and seed source and have affixed to each inspection certificate an official state of origin seed potato certification tag or label.
     (2) The provisions of subsection (1) do not apply to any unit of the Montana university system when it is importing into this state potato seed for research or educational purposes.
     (3) Seed or commercial potatoes, equipment, machinery, bags, or containers known to be diseased or contaminated with bacterial ring rot, golden nematode, or other diseases designated by department rule may not be brought into this state.

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 610, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 59, L. 1997.